Arsenal are set to make a raid on Newcastle United in signing their defender Mathieu Debuchy in the summer transfer window.
The North London club had Bacaray Sagna as their first choice right-back at the Emirates in the last few seasons and the French international has been impressive for the Gunners. However, his contract expired and rejected a chance to sign a new deal and has already agreed terms to join Manchester City on a free transfer.
With Sagna’s departure, it has left a void in the right-back position at Arsenal. According to The Telegraph, Their manager Arsene Wenger has set his sights on bringing Debuchy to the Emirates. He is currently with the France national team for the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The 28-year-old joined Newcastle from Ligue 1 side Lille in January 2013. He has been one of the few brightest players in the Tyneside club’s poor last campaign. He arrived at St James’ Park for a reported transfer fee of £4.5m.
After Newcastle’s last home of the 2013-14 season, Debuchy was found saying goodbye the Magpies fans, hinting that he could leave his current employers this summer. Alan Pardew’s side has slapped a £12m price tag on the defender.
However, Wenger and Arsenal are reluctant to meet Newcastle’s asking price in signing Debuchy. The Tyneside club are aware that the Gunners desperately need to sign a right-back and are willing to play the hard ball in letting their defender join another Premier League club.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also rumoured to be interested in signing Toulouse defender Serge Aurier to replace Sagna in the squad for the next season. The Ivory Coast international has publicly expressed his desire to join the Gunners this summer.
The Emirates club have not made a single signing in the transfer window, while their league rivals Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and City have already started their business early in order to build a string squad for the next season.
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