Benitez confirms receipt of  Lucas Digne’s exit notice

Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Lucas Digne has told Everton he wants to leave amid interest from Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham in the France left-back.

Napoli are also keen on striking a deal for the 28-year-old, though the Italian club are only interested in a loan deal with an option to buy, which does not fit with Everton’s demands.

“He’s been very clear,” Benitez said. “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?

Chelsea’s interest has reportedly grown since it was decided that left-back Ben Chilwell would undergo surgery on his knee ligaments, likely ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

Digne has been out of the Everton side after a much-publicised falling out with Benitez over tactics.

Everton have already signed Ukraine international Vitaliy Mykolenko as a replacement for Digne should he leave.

There were very strong words from Rafael Benitez on Lucas Digne. Benitez is normally quite guarded about what he says in the media, but he really was pulling no punches when asked about Digne .

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He basically accused the French left-back of not being a team player. He accused him of putting his own interests ahead of those of the team.

Obviously there is a big problem between the player and Benitez. Digne has not played for Everton since the Merseyside derby on December 1, so it doesn’t look like he’s got a future at Everton.