Liverpool have signed three players since the end of the recent train-wreck of a season, and new reports suggest that the Reds are considering a summer move for Paris St. Germain left-back Lucas Digne.
According to French newspaper L'Equipe this week:
* Liverpool have made an official 'enquiry' about Digne's availability.
* Roma are also interested in the 21-year old, who is allegedly valued at €20m by PSG.
In December, Digne's agent, Mikkel Beck, blasted PSG for condemning the youngster to constant bench duty. He told Le 10 Sport:
"I know he is unhappy on the bench, and he wants to play more. However, his anger and frustration give him the strength to try even harder in training, or when he has the chance to be on the field"
Some info about Digne, hailed as an 'immense hope of French football' by PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi:
* Left-back who can also play left-midfield.
* Cost PSG €15m in 2013.
* A measly 44 appearances in 2 seasons for PSG (average of 22 apps per year)
* 8 apps for the France national team.
* 2013: Helped France win the U20 World Cup.
* Recently lost his place in the France team as a result of reduced playing time at PSG.
* Only one significant injury so far (sprained ankle last season)
* Liverpool were linked with Digne back in 2013, and after signing for PSG, he rejected the suggestion that may regret the move to Paris. He told reporters: "I knew that I would be competing with big players if I chose PSG. I think it would be sad to have any regrets after just one month".
* When asked in May if he regretted his decision to sign for PSG, he told reporters: "No. I showed that I was ready to tackle a huge project at age 20, which shows I have the character to succeed at the highest level"
This seems like a strange link considering the Reds already have Alberto Moreno in the squad, a player who only signed for the club last summer:
* If Rodgers is genuinely interested in Digne, then it suggests a lack of confidence in the Moreno's ability to be Liverpool's long-term solution at left-back.
* With Glen Johnson now gone, and Javier Manquillo failing to hold down a regular place, Liverpool are in desperate need of a right-back, it's possible Rodgers is planning to play Digne on the right.
* It could also be the case that Rodgers is thinking of moving Moreno to the right, and using Digne on the left. Both ideas are nonsensical (IMO), but given the manager's frustrating propensity for square pegs in round holes, it's definitely a possibility.
* It's also possible that Digne is a potential replacement for Jose Enrique, who is too injury prone to be a serious option for the Reds.
In my view, left-back is not a priority position for Liverpool right now, but overall, the club is admittedly short of top-quality full-back options, and given Digne's perennial bench status at PSG, he may be amenable to a move.
On the other hand, he has 7 trophies to his name in two years, including two league titles, and there's little chance of him replicating that success at Liverpool (under Rodgers).
Worth pursuing?
Author: Jaimie K
According to French newspaper L'Equipe this week:
* Liverpool have made an official 'enquiry' about Digne's availability.
* Roma are also interested in the 21-year old, who is allegedly valued at €20m by PSG.
In December, Digne's agent, Mikkel Beck, blasted PSG for condemning the youngster to constant bench duty. He told Le 10 Sport:
"I know he is unhappy on the bench, and he wants to play more. However, his anger and frustration give him the strength to try even harder in training, or when he has the chance to be on the field"
Some info about Digne, hailed as an 'immense hope of French football' by PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi:
* Left-back who can also play left-midfield.
* Cost PSG €15m in 2013.
* A measly 44 appearances in 2 seasons for PSG (average of 22 apps per year)
* 8 apps for the France national team.
* 2013: Helped France win the U20 World Cup.
* Recently lost his place in the France team as a result of reduced playing time at PSG.
* Only one significant injury so far (sprained ankle last season)
* Liverpool were linked with Digne back in 2013, and after signing for PSG, he rejected the suggestion that may regret the move to Paris. He told reporters: "I knew that I would be competing with big players if I chose PSG. I think it would be sad to have any regrets after just one month".
* When asked in May if he regretted his decision to sign for PSG, he told reporters: "No. I showed that I was ready to tackle a huge project at age 20, which shows I have the character to succeed at the highest level"
This seems like a strange link considering the Reds already have Alberto Moreno in the squad, a player who only signed for the club last summer:
* If Rodgers is genuinely interested in Digne, then it suggests a lack of confidence in the Moreno's ability to be Liverpool's long-term solution at left-back.
* With Glen Johnson now gone, and Javier Manquillo failing to hold down a regular place, Liverpool are in desperate need of a right-back, it's possible Rodgers is planning to play Digne on the right.
* It could also be the case that Rodgers is thinking of moving Moreno to the right, and using Digne on the left. Both ideas are nonsensical (IMO), but given the manager's frustrating propensity for square pegs in round holes, it's definitely a possibility.
* It's also possible that Digne is a potential replacement for Jose Enrique, who is too injury prone to be a serious option for the Reds.
In my view, left-back is not a priority position for Liverpool right now, but overall, the club is admittedly short of top-quality full-back options, and given Digne's perennial bench status at PSG, he may be amenable to a move.
On the other hand, he has 7 trophies to his name in two years, including two league titles, and there's little chance of him replicating that success at Liverpool (under Rodgers).
Worth pursuing?
Author: Jaimie K
