Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Lucas Digne and Adama Traore Rumours

Liverpool are close to striking a deal for French left-back Lucas Digne, per the latest rumours.

According to Louis Sealey of Metro, citing Fichajes.net, Paris Saint-Germain "are resigned to losing the France international and are currently lining up a move for a replacement defender."

Further, Le Parisien, via Ed Dove of caughtoffside.com, reports "the defender took the opportunity to say farewell to his teammates in the locker room" following their victory over Lille on Friday.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc revealed earlier in the summer that Digne has requested a transfer after making just 15 appearances in Ligue 1 last term.

According to the Jack de Menezes of the Independent, Blanc told L’Equipe: "it is he who very clearly asked to leave."

Per Squawka, the left-back showed his defensive qualities by winning 54 per cent of his tackles and 67 per cent of his aerial duels last season, as well as his comfort in possession by maintaining an impressive 88 per cent passing accuracy.

Mike Janes/Associated Press

As Opta Jean demonstrates, the youngster has the potential to be particularly effective when given a run of appearances in the team:

Bleacher Report's own Andrew Gibney summarises Digne's most impressive qualities thusly: "It was his desire to get forward, ability to deliver an early ball into the box and his excellent left foot that attracted attention." 

Gibney added: "If Liverpool are in the market for a left-back, picking up Lucas Digne would be an encouraging move and one that could see the defender return to his confident best."

Though manager Brendan Rodgers has Alberto Moreno and Jose Enrique to call on in that position, the latter has rarely been used in the past two seasons making just 12 league appearances in that time.

Digne would provide excellent competition for Moreno to Liverpool's benefit, and the added game time he would likely receive could see him return to Didier Deschamps' France squad ahead of the 2016 European Championship.

Liverpool Winning the Race for Adama Traore

According to Fichajes.net, via Tom Olver of Metro, "Adama Traore is convinced he will make a transfer to Liverpool."

The Barcelona B winger is one of the Blaugrana's top prospects.

However, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar occupying their front three, not to mention the additions of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal in January, Traore is in need of a move elsewhere to continue his development.

The youngster laid on an outstanding 14 goals for his team-mates last season and scored four himself in an excellent season:

The 19-year-old would fit in well at Anfield, his experience of Barca's La Masia academy ensuring he would fit in with the cultured play Rodgers desires of his team.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez is excited by the prospect of Traore heading to Liverpool, where he believes he could make an impact:

With Raheem Sterling having departed for Manchester City, there is scope for the Spaniard to nail down a starting berth if he can impress when given the opportunity.

At a reported £4.2 million, Traore represents an excellent long-term acquisition for Liverpool.