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Lucas Digne could well be on his way out of Goodison Park after it was confirmed that Everton will sign Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kiev in January.

Digne, 28, is a veteran of three full seasons for the Merseysiders, with 128 appearances under his belt. But a recent falling out with manager Rafa Benitez has seen his future at the club called into question. The France international reportedly had a heated argument with the Spanish tactician on the training pitch.

And he was left out of the squad for the 2-1 victory over Arsenal on December 6. That remains Everton’s only win since they beat Norwich City on September 25.

Pressure is mounting on the former Liverpool chief. And he has been urged to heal his rift with the left-back for the good of the team.

However, it may be too late, as Dynamo Kiev manager Mircea Lucescu has confirmed that Mykolenko is on his way.

“He is going to Everton,” he told Telekom Sport, per Liverpool World. “He will be the first big transfer out of Dynamo Kyiv since Andriy Yarmolenko.”

The Ukraine international has been linked with a move to Goodison in recent weeks. And a report claims the north-west outfit will need to pay €23m for the Ukraine international.

Whether he will act as back-up to Digne only time will tell. But it was claimed by CaughtOffside (citing Todofichajes) earlier this week that Chelsea are targeting the Frenchman in January.

Thomas Tuchel has problems in his rearguard and sees the experienced former Paris Saint-Germain defender as the answer.

Ben Chilwell is currently sidelined due to injury and the coach is looking for January reinforcements.

Stubborn Benitez prepared to offload Digne

Many pundits have urged Benitez to sort out his differences with Digne. The former Barcelona defender has been one of the club’s best and most consistent players since he moved from the Nou Camp.

But it seems as though the experienced manager is not backing down, if recent reports are to be believed. Much will depend on Benitez’s own future with the Blues.

Never a popular choice to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, he needs to turn things around quickly. The club’s owners have backed him to do that.

But rumours that Wayne Rooney is being lined up to fill his shoes will not go away. Losing Digne would not go down well with the fans but Mykolenko could be a decent replacement.

READ MORE: Everton hunt for shrewd January deals sees them land on talented Ligue 1 star

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