Au revoir? Mathieu Debuchy to lead summer exodus from Newcastle

Newcastle United could lose another influential player from their French connection to Ligue 1 leaders, and 10/1 Champions League hopefuls, PSG following the sale of Yohan Cabaye in January.

Tabloids reports claim Toon and France right back Mathieu Debuchy, 28, has refused to scotch rumours of a summer switch to the Parc des Princes.

“PSG? I am here until the end of the season and for next year. I do not know,” he is quoted as saying.

Debuchy, who won the Ligue 1 title alongside Cabaye at Lille in 2011, went on to describe the Parisian giants as a “great club”.

With Debuchy set to battle Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna for a starting spot in the France XI at the World Cup, Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps will have been impressed by his series of fine displays at Newcastle this term.

Current PSG manager Laurent Blanc gave Debuchy his international debut in his previous role as French coach. The chance to link up once again with both Blanc and Cabaye may prove irresistible.

Yet his potential summer departure from St James’ Park may be the tip of the iceberg as other names, including fellow Frenchman Hatem Ben Arfa and misfiring frontman Papiss Cisse, could also leave.

Reports in the press have also claimed Magpies manager Alan Pardew is prepared to dump attacker Ben Arfa, 26, after becoming frustrated by his inconsistent performances. Inter Milan – backed by the billions of Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir – may offer him a way out of Tyneside.

Senegal striker Cisse, meanwhile, is a £9m target for Russian club Rubin Kazan before their transfer window shuts on February 27th. Pardew would recoup the amount Newcastle splashed out on the 28-year-old when they bought him from Bundesliga outfit SC Freiburg in 2012.

If Blanc brings Debuchy to Paris, it could spell the end of Christophe Jallet’s stint at PSG. The former club captain isn’t out of contract until 2015, but Holland international Gregory van der Wiel is also on their books.

A knock-on effect of Debuchy’s possible sale could see Italian Davide Santon switch flanks and give youngster Massadio Haidara more matches next term. Newcastle, who are 1/10 to finish in the top-half, also have Ryan Taylor to come back from a serious knee injury.