Arsenal Lining Up Bid For Newcastle World Cup Star

Media Image LtdThe worst fears of Newcastle supporters could be realised this summer with Arsenal said to be lining up a summer bid to prise the popular Mathieu Debuchy away from St James' Park, according to The Mirror. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is in the market for new right-back after losing Bacary Sagna on a free transfer to Manchester City and the Mirror reckon he wants fellow France international Debuchy to plug that particular hole at the Emirates Stadium. We can only admit to being crestfallen when the 28-year-old dropped a subtle hint this week that he wants to leave United to join a club competing in the Champions League after admitting that misses European football despite enjoying life on Tyneside. And we could be set for a tug-of-war between the North London club and mega-rich Paris Saint Germain for Debuchy - currently keeping Sagna on the bench for France at the World Cup - which should significantly drive up his price and ensure we make a profit on the £5 million we paid Lille in January 2013. A small crumb of comfort, indeed. But once his inevitable departure is confirmed attention will turn to his replacement. We don't envisage Newcastle entering the market to acquire a new right-back when there is a ready-made successor already at the club in the shape of Davide Santon. With Massadio Haidara likely to begin the season as Alan Pardew's first pick at left-back we'd like to see Santon moved across to the opposite side of the Magpies back-four.