CONFIRMED: Everton announce the signing of Lucas Digne

Everton have finally addressed the question of who will be Leighton Baines’ successor at the left back position for the next few years.

The Toffees today announced the signing of France international Lucas Digne from Barcelona for a transfer fee in the region of £18 to £20 million on a five-year-deal.

Digne featured 46 times for the Spanish giants over the last two seasons, but struggled to upstage starter Jordi Alba. The 25-year-old has 21 international caps but wasn’t in France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad after being dropped to a standby role following his relative lack of playing time at club level.

Baines has been with the Blues since 2007 and his current deal expires at the end of this season. At 33, his best years are behind him now and while it still remains to be seen if the club will extend his contract, his experience in the squad is invaluable.

Antonee Robinson is being groomed to be the left back of the future, and Everton are likely to send him back out on loan to Bolton Wanderers where he did so well last season.