Newcastle lining up move for Everton outcast Lucas Digne following Rafa Benitez bust-up, talkSPORT understands, as Magpies look to build on imminent Kieran Trippier transfer

Everton outcast Lucas Digne has emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle, talkSPORT understands.

The Frenchman has fallen out of favour at Goodison Park after a falling out with Rafael Benitez and the club are willing to listen to offers for the 28-year-old in the January window.

Digne has been one of the standout left-backs in the Premier League over the last few seasons, having made 127 appearances since joining the Toffees from Barcelona in 2018, scoring six goals and providing 20 assists.

He has made 13 Premier League appearances this season, but the LaLiga and two-time Ligue 1 champion is now keen on a move away in January in order to get regular playing time.

Newcastle are on the verge of sealing their first transfer under their new Saudi ownership, with Kieran Trippier poised to seal a £25million transfer to St James’ Park.

But the Magpies have no plans on stopping there and Digne has emerged at the top of their wish-list after they get their deal for Trippier over the line.

However, Newcastle have competition in their pursuit of Digne with Chelsea also considering a January bid for the player.

The Blues are without Ben Chilwell for the rest of the season after he was sidelined with an ACL injury and they are now looking for a quick fix in that position.

Newcastle are also on the hunt for forwards this month and Arsenal outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been backed to follow Trippier to the North East by former Man City forward Trevor Sinclair.

“Now I’m looking at the forward line and the shape of the team,” Sinclair told the White and Jordan show.

“I’m thinking 3-5-2, get him on the right side taking all the set pieces and putting Aubameyang up top with Callum Wilson.

“If you put Aubameyang in there you’ve got threat in the air, pace in behind, goals and potential for Newcastle to stay up.

“If they’re desperate for goals, I think he [Aubameyang] will have something ti prove because he’ll wanna show people that the cancel culture was wrong.

“He’ll want to prove them people wrong who said they don’t want him at the football club anymore.”