Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne has reportedly agreed a deal to rejoin Paris Saint-Germain after the French club activated his £10m release clause, according to ESPN.
Summary
Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a deal to bring Lucas Digne back to the club, with the Aston Villa defender's £10 million ($13.3m) release clause being triggered, according to a source speaking to ESPN.
The Details
ESPN reports that PSG have moved to re-sign the 31-year-old left-back, who previously played for the French champions between 2013 and 2016. Digne's release clause at Aston Villa has been paid in full, allowing the transfer to proceed. The source did not specify the length of contract or other financial terms.
Digne joined Aston Villa from Everton in January 2022 for a reported £25m. He has made 56 appearances for the Midlands club, scoring three goals and providing seven assists. However, his game time has been limited this season under manager Unai Emery, with the emergence of young left-back Ian Maatsen pushing him down the pecking order.
The French international, capped 46 times by his country, is now set for a return to the club where he won two Ligue 1 titles and two French Cups. PSG are in need of defensive reinforcements after losing Layvin Kurzawa on a free transfer and with Nuno Mendes struggling with injuries.
What It Means
For Aston Villa, the departure of Digne would free up wages and provide a modest transfer fee, though the £10m release clause is significantly less than what they paid Everton. It would also simplify their left-back situation, leaving Maatsen as the primary option with Lucas Digne's younger brother, Kieran, as backup.
For PSG, bringing back a familiar face like Digne adds experience and depth to their squad without a lengthy negotiation process. The move also aligns with their recent strategy of signing players with previous ties to the club, such as Achraf Hakimi and Milan Skriniar.
Digne himself would be returning to a club where he enjoyed success earlier in his career, and the move could reignite his chances of earning a recall to the France national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. For more World Cup news, visit our dedicated section.
Source: Reported by ESPN. Summary compiled by NinetyMins.
