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Rafa Benitez sends bold message to West Ham on Lucas Digne situation
Rafa Benitez has sent a strong message to West Ham and other suitors who are looking to sign Lucas Digne this month.
According to a recent report from The Daily Mail, West Ham are in talks with Everton to sign their £30million-rated left-back.
A host of clubs including Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa are also reportedly in the race to sign the French left-back.
Benitez gave a detailed clarification of Digne’s situation on Friday (7 January) and has made it clear that the potential suitors must come with firm offers and not just make enquiries.
“I will say to you I’d like to sign Haaland and Mbappe,” said Benitez when asked about interest from West Ham.
“I can do enquiries, but I have to commit myself. We need commitment, we don’t need enquiries.”
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Transfer dilemma
It’s a transfer dilemma for West Ham.
The Hammers are looking to bolster their squad in January. Their primary focus is to bring one or two centre-backs and a back-up striker.
The left-back is one area that requires attention, although they can still manage with the available resources they have got.
Aaron Cresswell is injured, while Arthur Masuaku has been pretty average so far.
Ben Johnson, one of the promising young talents at the club, can play both as a right and left-back.
The Digne situation has been brewing for a while, but now it’s decision time.
Everton won’t entertain a loan bid. They are apparently not keen on part-exchange deals either.
The Toffees would only want a direct transfer which means West Ham will have to meet Digne’s asking price (and his wages).
Digne is a quality left-back, and he would be a fantastic addition. But can they afford to spend a chunk of their transfer budget on him when the priority lies elsewhere?
In other West Ham news, Hammers dealt blow in pursuit for ‘tremendous’ striker as club don’t want to sell.