Liverpool Transfer News: Lucas Digne Explains Reds Snub, Latest Rumours

New AS Roma full-back Lucas Digne explained why he chose the Giallorossi over a number of other interested clubs, including Liverpool, after completing a one-year loan deal with an option to buy from Paris Saint-Germain.

As reported by Football Italia, the prospect of regular playing time and the presence of manager Rudi Garcia, whom he worked under with Lille, helped him make up his mind:

"

Clearly I wanted more playing time at PSG to earn my place in the France squad. I want to prove to everyone that I can play at a good level in an important and difficult League like Serie A.

[…] He is a Coach who has already shown what he can do, beating records here at Roma and getting second place twice. For every player it is always a pleasure to be trained by him.

(Ex-Roma player) Marquinhos also told me about Roma. I asked him questions and he only had positive things to say about this great club, calling it a big family.

This too had repercussions on my choice and I am very happy to have chosen Roma.

"

The France international was linked with a move to Anfield throughout the summer, per Football Italia, but eventually decided on Roma. The Italians were in dire need of another left-back after the Ashley Cole experiment failed to produce the desired results last season.

Roma blogger Julian De Martinis was more than just a little excited about the signing:

"

Digne is young, incredibly talented and plays a position of real need for Roma. Very, very excited about this!

— Julian De Martinis (@JulianDM11) August 25, 2015"

As reported by WhoScored.com, the 22-year-old started 14 matches for Les Parisiens in Ligue 1 last season, but he was expected to play second fiddle behind Brazilian veteran Maxwell in 2015-16.

Given his considerable talent and young age, he was a popular name on the transfer market, but he took his time making a decision on his future. Back in July, there were reports he was talking to Liverpool, according to the Daily Mail (h/t Daily Mirror's Aaron Flanagan).

It took several more weeks before the saga was resolved, a possible explanation of why the Reds seemed to lose interest. The Premier League season is already in full swing, and manager Brendan Rodgers couldn't keep waiting until the youngster made up his mind.

On top of that, Liverpool's search for a new left-back became a lot less frantic with the emergence of youngster Joe Gomez, who has shocked everyone by adapting to his new surroundings and the level of the Premier League in a hurry.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

The teenager moved to Anfield in June and was forced to play a position he was largely unfamiliar with, having played the bulk of his minutes with Charlton Athletic in the centre or on the right, but so far, he's carried himself like a seasoned veteran.

Oulala Games' Russ Crane (h/t Liverpool Echo's Joe Rimmer) came up with this graphic showing just how good the youngster has been:

Perhaps Liverpool's interest in Digne cooled before Gomez started making headlines, or perhaps the Frenchman made it clear his favoured destination was Roma from the very start. Ultimately, it didn't matter. Gomez needs to have the chance to continue his development, and as a result, Anfield was no longer the right destination for Digne.

Given how Gomez has performed so far and how happy Digne seems to be with his new club, it's safe to say all parties have come out on top in this saga.

Jose Enrique to Stay at Anfield?

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

According to the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce, the Reds fear they won't be able to move out-of-favour defender Jose Enrique before the end of the transfer window, as the Spaniard is happy to just see out his contract and leave the club next summer.

Enrique has spent most of the summer training separately from the first team, along with Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini, as the Reds looked for ways to offload the trio, per the Guardian's Andy Hunter.

Balotelli has since been loaned to AC Milan, and the club remain confident a deal can be made for Borini as well, per Pierce. But there appear to be no takers whatsoever for Enrique, and fans aren't too happy about it:

The 29-year-old barely played for the Reds last season and has seen his transfer value plummet―in all likelihood, his wages will drop significantly when he signs his next contract, so from a financial perspective, it makes sense to just warm the bench for a year at Anfield before moving on.

Don't be shocked if Enrique declines a move away from the club should an interested party surface, unless his current wages are preserved. Football is a business, and Enrique is just looking out for himself―it's hard to blame a player for doing that.

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