Barclays Premier League outfit Liverpool have been dealt a major blow in their attempts to sign highly-rated French defender Lucas Digne from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The Reds’ interest in the 22-year-old emerged in the British media [via Mail Sport] on Wednesday morning as manager Brendan Rodgers is reportedly in the transfer market for a new left-back that can provide competition for Alberto Moreno ahead of the new season.
Digne, who joined PSG from fellow Ligue 1 side Lille in the summer of 2013, has struggled to displace veteran defender Maxwell in Laurent Blanc’s strongest starting XI at the Parc des Princes and was constantly overlooked for Champions League games last season.
The attack-minded full back made 15 appearances in the league last year and is reportedly willing to leave the club in order to stake his claim for a place in the French squad for next summer’s European Championships, but Blanc has ruled out a transfer for the youngster:
“First, it is he who very clearly asked to leave”, the PSG boss told L’Equipe [via Mirror Online].
“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,” Blanc added.
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Should Rodgers miss out on signing Digne then he will likely have to settle with Jose Enrique as the back up left-back for the new season, despite the Spaniard only making four league appearances last year.