Everton boss Rafa Benitez has opened up and announced that Chelsea target Lucas Digne wants to leave the club this January.

Digne is regarded as one of the finest left-backs in the Premier League and there are many out there that firmly believe that he is now ready to test himself at the highest level with one of the big clubs.

Reports have suggested that we are eying up a deal until the end of the season, and then will decide if they will make the move a permanent one, with a fee of around £27 million the asking price.

Now amid all the speculation that the club are keen on a transfer deal, Benitez has opened up and confirmed that Digne does in fact want to leave Everton this transfer window, he was quoted on Sky Sports: “He’s been very clear. I want to ask a question to every fan and former players – what Peter Reid would do if a player comes out and says he doesn’t want to be there?

“That’s it – simple. I’ve had a couple of conversations with him and he told me what he thought so what do you expect the manager to do when a player is thinking of leaving?

“Fans, former players, what Peter Reid would say if a player goes to a manager and says he doesn’t want to be here.

We could see this coming as soon as the rumours emerged that we are interested in a deal, but now the Blues board know that Digne wants a move, it will be interesting to see if they give it to him.