Barcelona's Lucas Digne returns to Spain to finalise Everton move - sources

Barcelona have confirmed that Lucas Digne has returned to Spain to finalise a move away from the club.

Digne, 25, sat out Barca's International Champions Cup game against Tottenham on Saturday and sources close to the deal expect him to sign for Everton imminently.

The left-back joined Barca from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 but has played second fiddle to Jordi Alba during his two years at Camp Nou.

Despite that, he was enjoying his time at the club and was not expected to push for a move this summer. Barca, too, were happy for him to remain as Alba's understudy for a third season.

However, Everton's bid, which is worth more than the €16m Barcelona paid for him, was deemed acceptable by the Catalan club and the decision was left up to the player.

Digne had initially planned to stay put but the fact a lack of game time saw him miss out on France's World Cup squad this summer changed his mind.

He will become Everton's second signing of the window after the Premier League side signed Richarlison from Watford in a deal which could reach €50m.

En los últimos dos años han sido un sueño de un niño que he podido realizar quiero decir muchas Gracias a todos . En primero al Club que me ha dado todo desde que he llegado . Gracias a todos Los fisios , Los staffs con quien he trabajado , los preparadores fisicos , la gente de la seguridad , de la cucina todos hacen que El club es una famiglia La aficion que esta siempre al lado del equipo y que me ha dado mucho caliño durante dos años . La ciudad de Barcelona que se quedara siempre conmigo por loque he vivido y por la gente que esta increible a todos los momentos . Y en ultimo mis compañeros que antes de ser Los mejores jugadores del Mundo son personas increíbles que te ayudan siempre . Todo eso para decir que el Barça es mas que un club es una famiglia increible Un abrazo muy fuerte a todos y muchas suerte por la temporada 🔵🔴

A post shared by Lucas Digne (@lucasdigne) on Jul 29, 2018 at 2:50pm PDT

In an Instagram post, Digne said: "The last two years have been a kid's dream which I have been able to fulfil. I want to say thank you very much to all. First to the club that has given me everything since I arrived.

"Thanks to all the physios, the staff, the physical trainers, the security people, the cooks who all make the club a family.

"[Thanks] to the fans who are always close to the team and that has given me a lot of warmth during these two years.

"[Thanks to] the city of Barcelona that will always stay with me for what I have lived here and for the people who have been incredible with me at all times.

"And finally [thanks to] my colleagues who, before being the best players in the world, they are amazing people who always help you.

"All this to say that Barça is more than a club and it is an incredible family A very big hug to all and a lot of luck for the season."

After breaking onto the scene with Lille, Digne signed for PSG in 2013. Minutes were hard to come by in Paris, though, and he joined Roma on loan in 2015.

A year later, he was sold to Barca, where he had made 46 appearances and scored two goals.

Digne's place in Ernesto Valverde's first team squad is expected to be filled by a youth team player, with left-backs Juan Miranda and Marc Cucurella both with the club in the U.S. at the moment.