Liverpool open transfer talks with PSG for highly-rated defensive starlet

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Liverpool are set to press ahead with plans to make their eighth signing of the summer after opening talks with Paris Saint-Germain for highly-rated defender Lucas Digne.

The Reds have been active in the transfer market so far this summer, and manager Brendan Rodgers has bolstered his squad with the signings of James Milner, Adam Bogdan, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, Roberto Firmino, Nathaniel Clyne and Christian Benteke.

It was revealed last week in Mirror Sport that PSG boss Laurent Blanc was open to the prospect of keeping Digne at the Parc des Princes for the 2014/15 campaign after the player impressed during pre-season, however, it would now appear that the defender could depart before the transfer window shuts in just under a month’s time.

The 22-year-old has his sights set on a place in the France squad for next summer’s European Championships on home soil and is reportedly willing to leave the reigning Ligue 1 champions in pursuit of regular first-team football during the upcoming campaign.

Digne joined PSG from rivals Lille in the summer of 2013, but has found it difficult to dislodge the experienced Maxwell in Blanc’s strongest XI and made just 15 league appearances in addition to being consistently overlooked for Champions League games last season.

According to reports in France [via Star Sport], talks over a potential transfer to Anfield have begun, which would see the youngster provide competition to Alberto Moreno, who struggled at times during his debut season in English football. Digne’s arrival would also give the squad a more balanced feel, as new signing Gomez has been asked to fill in there during pre-season but perhaps isn’t a natural option at left-back.

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The need to strengthen his options on the left-side of the defence for Rodgers is clear, as his other alternatives are currently Jose Enrique and Jon Flanagan; The former made just four league appearances last season and the latter missed the entire campaign through injury and is likely to be eased back into action upon his return to full fitness.

Digne, by contrast, would be ready to go for the start of the season, and could slip directly into the Reds’ starting XI.

More Stories Adam Bogdan Alberto Moreno Christian Benteke Danny Ings James Milner Joe Gomez Jon Flanagan Jose Enrique Lucas Digne Maxwell nathaniel clyne Roberto Firmino