Wenger – Debuchy close to leaving

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Mathieu Debuchy is close to leaving the club this month, with a Premier League rival the reported likely destination.

In recent weeks, it has emerged that Sunderland, Aston Villa, West Ham and Roma have all expressed an interest in the experienced French right-back, although Sam Allardyce effectively ruled out the possibility of signing him for the north East side this month.

Twitter: Arsenal defender @MatDebuchy won’t be joining one Premier League club, find out which… https://t.co/wq7okuXuNx https://t.co/IRer7oCiF7 (@ReadArsenalFC)

Debuchy is way down the pecking order in terms of a starting role, having been signed as what was thought to be a like-for-like replacement for Bacary Sagna, only for 20-year-old Hector Bellerin to emerge and take his place in the side.

With the former Newcastle defender harbouring ambitions of playing for his native France in the summer at the European Championship, he has expressed a desire to leave the club.

Wenger, as reported by the club’s official website, confirmed that Debuchy is close to leaving.

Yes, Mathieu might go somewhere but I don’t know where at the moment and that decision has to be made very quickly now because there is only 48 hours to go. He has much interest in him, but I have a number of people who can play right back so I opened the door for him because at the moment he doesn’t play and has Bellerin in front.