MADRID, July 30 -- FC Barcelona's French defender Lucas Digne is on the verge of a move to Premier League side, Everton, after leaving the club's US tour to travel back to Spain to likely join the English club on Sunday night.
Everton are thought to be willing to play around 20 million euros for a player who can play on either side of the defense, but who has found first team opportunities limited since joining from Paris Saint Germain two years ago; making just 46 appearances in two seasons.
Barcelona confirmed the defender would be leaving with a tweet saying he was "traveling with the club's full permission to finalize his departure from the club." Digne himself posted a message on his Instagram account saying, "I want to say thank you very much to all: first to the club that has given me everything since I arrived. Thanks to all the physios, the staff with whom I have worked, the physical trainers, the security people, all that [sic] make the club a family."
Digne became popular in Barcelona after it was revealed that he and his wife, who live close to Las Ramblas, took water and bandages to help victims in the immediate aftermath of the August 17 terror attacks last year.
Barcelona is unlikely to sign a replacement for Digne with young defender Juan Miranda, who played in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Saturday, likely to be promoted to the first team squad.