Left back has become something of a problem position for AS Roma, and if the latest reports are to be believed, Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas Digne is the man they've identified as the solution. The 22-year-old has struggled for first-team football since moving to the French capital from Lille a couple of years ago, and a move to Roma could be beneficial for all involved.
Is Lucas Digne on his way to Roma?
The young French international is reportedly on the brink of a reunion with Rudi Garcia.
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However, PSG may well be reluctant to allow him to leave on loan with an option to buy, the deal that Roma reportedly desire. That’s partly because there are several clubs said to be in the running to sign Digne, with Liverpool believed to be among those chasing the young left back. With Premier League clubs more likely to pay a big transfer fee up front than cash-strapped Italian sides, it could well be that PSG would be happier to sell the youngster outright rather than allow him to go on an initial loan.
Why it makes sense
Roma need to strengthen at left back more than anywhere else on the field. The departure of José Holebas has left Ashley Cole as their first choice in that position, with the backup being the sub-par youngster Alessandro Crescenzi. Neither of those players are good enough, and they need someone who is. There have been other left backs linked with a move to Roma, including Sevilla's Benoit Trémoulinas and Monaco's Layvin Kurzawa.
It also makes sense because of the Rudi Garcia connection. Roma boss Garcia gave Digne his debut at Lille, and the two are believed to get along pretty well. That could give the giallorossi a crucial advantage in the race to sign the French international, as Digne could see Garcia as the man to help him blossom into France's long-term replacement for Patrice Evra.
Why it doesn’t make sense
Paris Saint-Germain signed Digne as the man who’d eventually replace Brazilian veteran Maxwell in their starting lineup, and he’s certainly got that kind of potential. He’s also French, which would help them in their constant battle to avoid falling foul of the Champions League’s homegrown restrictions. The benefits of allowing him to leave on loan for a season are obvious, but PSG really don’t have any reason to sell a player on the brink of establishing himself.
Secondly, despite his relationship with Garcia, joining Roma may feel like a step too far down for Digne. Serie A’s well-documented decline means that it’s no longer as attractive to foreign players as it once was, and players will struggle to make the sort of money in Italy as they would in the Premier League. If there is genuine interest from Liverpool, then it may be hard for Digne to turn down in favor of reuniting with his old boss.
Likelihood it happens
Roma’s interest seems pretty concrete, and Digne’s relationship with his old boss could well prove too strong a lure for him to reject. It’s certainly plausible, and we’re giving it a 6/10 chance of it happening.
This is a post from our transfer rumors section. For news, analysis and more, check out the main SB Nation Soccer page.
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