Newcastle United right-back Mathieu Debuchy looks set to join Arsenal after the two clubs reportedly agreed an €10m fee (around £8m). The French defender could be at the club as soon as Monday after his country's exit from the World Cup at the hands of Germany.
Debuchy is one of many right-back transfer targets for Arsenal, a position that needed filling after the departure of Bacary Sagna to Manchester City on a costless transfer. Names such as Seamus Coleman, Serge Aurier and Micah Richards have popped up on the Arsenal agenda, but it appears that Debuchy is the man for Wenger.
The Frenchman has only been on Tyneside for 18 months, joining in January 2013 from Lille, the club in which he spent almost 20 years at, joining at the age of eight, back in 1993. He scored his first and only goal so far for Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby back in October 2013 scoring the eqaliser, although the Toon ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline.
He has also played for the French national team from under-21 level and up, making 24 appearances for the side, scoring two goals. His form for the French team, which has seen him branded as outstanding and terrific by the French press and public alike, has ultimately seen him overtake Sagna as France's first choice right-back.
Debuchy is likely to be the first of many summer signings expected at the Emirates, with Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Mario Balotelli just a few of the star-studded connections being made to the North London club. The Sanchez deal is also expected to be announced soon, with the Luis Suarez transfer to FC Barcelona paving the way for an Arsenal move.
