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Chelsea and Man City consider shock bids for Everton star despite 'high fee'
Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly keen on an Everton player.
Chelsea: Ben Chilwell would be a 'huge signing' says Craig Burley
Chelsea and Manchester City are weighing up a move for Everton defender Lucas Digne as both clubs hope to capture a new left-back ahead of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
Chelsea have placed Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell at the top of their wishlist but his £75million price tag is thought to be off-putting.
The Blues' 3-2 loss against West Ham last night only further highlighted their defensive issues which Frank Lampard is looking to address.
City also have question marks over the consistency of Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
If Pep Guardiola's side want to close the gap on Liverpool they also may want to stop their opposition getting down the left flank.
ESPN claim both clubs are reluctant to meet Leicester's valuation of Chilwell so are considering a move for Digne.
READ MORE: Chelsea set to make Kai Havertz bid
The 27-year-old moved to Goodison Park from Barcelona for £17m in August 2018.
The France international has made 33 appearances across all competitions this campaign and it is reported that Everton would demand a 'high fee'.
One appearing factor to Chelsea and City is that Digne is still expected to be cheaper to purchase than Chilwell.
Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti will be desperate to keep hold of the former Lille and Paris Saint-Germain star as he is plotting a title challenge.
"I hope soon Everton has to be competitive and fight for the first position of the Premier League with Liverpool, with Chelsea, with Tottenham, with Manchester United, with all the big teams," Ancelotti told Sky Sports News.
"I don't know how long it takes but I hope that soon we are able to compete.
"We have a young squad with young players with a lot of skills, a lot of ability.
"I think just the fact that we can improve this skill and this ability can give us more opportunity to stay at the top."
To meet his goals Ancelotti will have to do everything in his power to fend off interest in his top stars.
Brazilian forward Richarlison is also attracting interest from a host of clubs but it would take a major fee to prise himawan from Merseyside.