Transfer talk: Lucas Digne ‘the chosen one’ for Barcelona to cover Jordi Alba – report

Barcelona are reportedly set to make Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Digne, who spent last season on loan at AS Roma, their third signing of the summer.

Lucas Digne. Michael Dalder / Reuters
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Barcelona are near a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for defender Lucas Digne and could even present him as soon as this week, according to a report from Spanish outlet Marca.

Digne, 22, would compete with Jordi Alba at left-back.

Under a headline stating “Barca tab Digne” the outlet says Barcelona will sign him for “an amount close to 16 million euros” (Dh65m).

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Alba has been pretty much ensconced in the position since his arrival from Valencia prior to the 2012/13 season. Aside from an injury hit 2013/14 campaign, the Catalan player has started at least 27 league matches in each of the rest of his five seasons with the club, where he is a largely popular figure.

Alba had as firmer grasp than ever on his place in the starting XI last season, starting 29 La Liga matches and another eight in the Champions League under Luis Enrique. And, at 27, he is in the midst of his physical prime.

Nonetheless, Digne would offer important cover and long-term prospects after a promising loan campaign at AS Roma, where he started 32 Serie A fixtures for the third-place finishing side.

Marca reports the Frenchman is "the chosen one ... to strengthen the position" at left back and "compete" with Alba. The Italian club will not use its option to purchase Digne as per their loan agreement with PSG, it states. With Maxwell and the young Layvin Kurzawa, the Ligue 1 champions are reportedly set at the position.

"The negotiations to close Digne are very advanced and could be tied up in the next 48 hours," Marca states.

The report posits the transaction could be concluded and the player could be presented on Thursday. Samuel Umtiti, the France defender just signed from Lyon, is to be presented on Friday.

Digne was in the France squad for Euro 2016, but did not play as the hosts were ultimately defeated in the final by Portugal.

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