The 28-year-old has been dropped by Toffees manager Rafael Benitez and a

sale would provide vital funds.

Everton signed Ukraine left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko earlier in January.

Benitez is also interested in signing Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff,

who he worked with while he was Magpies manager.

The 24-year-old has  six months left on his contract.

The move for Longstaff could help in a potential Digne swap,

but it is not  known if the left-back would be keen on a move to a

relegation-threatened side.

Eddie Howe’s side are 19th in the Premier League table and have one win all

season, but they are set to complete the signing of England full-back Kieran

Trippier from Atletico Madrid for about £12m.