Lucas Digne to Liverpool: PSG defender tells Laurent Blanc he wants to leave as Reds look to beat Atletico Madrid and Roma to signing
Digne has remained 'professional' about wanting to leave, says Blanc
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of France left-back Lucas Digne after he informed Paris Saint-Germain that he wants to leave the club.
PSG head coach Laurent Blanc has confirmed that the 22-year-old is seeking a move away from the French capital with a number of clubs, including Liverpool, keen on signing him this summer. Having already made seven first-team additions this summer that peaked with the £32.5m signing of Christian Benteke on Wednesday night, Brendan Rodgers could yet seek further activity in the transfer window.
The is likely to come from the interest in Digne, and with both Atletico Madrid and Roma showing interest in the PSG defender, Liverpool may be forced to speed up their efforts to land the France international.
Speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe, Blanc confirmed that Digne has informed the club of his desire to leave, but insisted that he has remained “very professional” throughout pre-season and did not rule out the possibility of him remaining with the Parisian side this season.
“First, it is he who very clearly asked to leave,” said Blanc.
“For now, he is with us, he is very professional, he trains very well and has prepared excellently. He has shown the results in friendlies.
“This is firstly a very good thing for him and possibly for us, should he stay with us this season.”
Liverpool took their summer spending beyond the £75m mark this summer after sealing the move for Benteke, having activated his Aston Villa release clause. The addition of Benteke came after a swift and precise transfer plan saw the club move for three free agents in James Milner, Adam Bogdan and Danny Ings.
The club also spent big on bringing Brazil forward Roberto Firmino to Anfield in a £29m deal from Hoffenheim, while Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez joined in moves from Southampton and Charlton Athletic respectively.
Rodgers is keen in increasing the competition for places among his ranks though, and with Jose Enrique set to leave the club this summer Alberto Moreno will face little competition unless another left-back is brought in. John Flanagan excelled in the position two seasons ago but has not played since May 2014 due to a serious and recurring knee injury, while Gomez is capable of playing on the right but has not experienced playing in the Premier League.
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