Everton will seek to ward off interest from Tottenham by signing their standout left-back to a new deal just days after Brazilian forward Richarlison agreed fresh terms.
Lucas Digne is the man in question, with the Merseyside club reportedly aiming to offer the France full-back a similar length deal to the one signed by Richarlison recently.
Richarlison’s deal runs through to the summer of 2024, and Digne – an £18m arrival from Barcelona in 2018 – could be next on the agenda.
The left-back is a firm fans favourite at Goodison Park, helped in no small part by his revelation that he rejected a move to Liverpool on two separate occasions earlier in his career.
The 26-year-old has been a rare ray of hope in a perennially struggling Everton backline, with four assists and one goal complementing his solid defensive efforts this term.
His attacking prowess drew interest from Tottenham during the summer, and a recent report from English newspaper the Daily Mail suggests that the Toffees realise the true worth of the player they have.
The article states that: “[Digne] was the subject of interest from Tottenham last summer,” though it is unclear how the change of manager to the more defensive-minded Jose Mourinho in north London would affect that interest.
The report continues: “With the rising cost of full-backs Everton believe Digne would now be worth well in excess of £70m in the current market but their plan is to try and extend the 26 year-old’s contract.”
The blue half of Merseyside have not won at Anfield since 1999, leading to Silva delivering an inspirational message to his players.
“We have to look at the game as a good opportunity and do something the club did not do for 20 years,” Silva told The Telegraph. “OK, it is a tough game. They are in a very, very good moment and maybe they are the toughest opponent we can face.
“You can look at it this way or the other way: it is a good opportunity for us in a special game. I like the special games and my players and our fans have to like the special games too.
“I know the derby record in the past did not give us a good feeling but we have to go there and embrace the challenge, to enjoy it. If you ask me what is the main thing I want, it is for the players to perform like we did there last season.
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