Newcastle Agree Deal for French Defender – Report

Newcastle United have agreed to deal to sign French defender Mathieu Debuchy from Ligue 1 side Lille.

The France international was heavily linked with a move to Newcastle in the summer but a deal could not be agreed between the two clubs and Debuchy remained with Lille.

However, the Press Association has reported that Newcastle have now agreed a fee for the right-back which is said to be in the region of around £5million.

Newcastle have struggled to replicate their superb form from last season and currently find themselves down in 15<sup>th place after conceding 11 goals in their last two games against Manchester United and Arsenal.

Toon boss Alan Pardew has been playing Danny Simpson at right-back but his deal at St. James Park runs out in the summer and it seems that Pardew is prepared to allow the defender to leave as he believes that Debuchy will be a stronger option.

The 27-year-old impressed for France during Euro 2012 and was a key figure in the Lille side that won the Ligue 1 title in 2011, but they have also struggled this season.

They are currently down in eighth place having won just seven of their opening 19 league games. They also exited the Champions League at the group stage as they finished bottom and missed out on the chance of dropping into the Europa League.

Debuchy is now set to be reunited with his former Lille colleague Yohan Cabaye who has remained good friends with the defender and was keen to see his arrival in the summer.

Newcastle will hope that the deal can be competed early in the January transfer window as Pardew is desperate to turn around the fortunes of the club who managed to achieve a top six finish last season.