• Premier League

Lille dismiss Newcastle's £4m bid for Debuchy

ESPN staff
June 19, 2012
Mathieu Debuchy is wanted by Newcastle © PA Photos
Enlarge

Lille head coach Rudi Garcia has revealed that the club have rejected a £4 million bid from Newcastle for full-back Mathieu Debuchy.

The Magpies have long been linked with the versatile right-back, who has impressed many with his performances for France at the current European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

Garcia revealed that Newcastle have solidified their interest by submitting a £4 million bid for the 26-year-old, but joked that the offer was so far below the French side's valuation that Alan Pardew "must have [got] the wrong player".

Lille are believed to value Debuchy at around £6 million, with the player reportedly torn between testing himself at a different level and staying at Lille to play Champions League football in their new stadium.

"I do believe that Newcastle have faxed an offer of £4 million - but they must have the wrong player," Garcia noted, speaking to French website 20 Minutes.

"He [Debuchy] is torn between staying with us and playing in the Champions League in our new stadium or going elsewhere. If he does go and it is a sporting progression, then we will be happy to see him evolve - but we have not planned to replace him."

Garcia believes Debuchy's recent performances for the national side are no surprise, considering the consistent displays he has put in for his club for over a year.

"No [they haven't surprised me], as he plays with France as he does with us, he plays high and attacks but defensively is also very rigorous and he exudes confidence," said Garcia.

"Without insulting [Anthony] Reveillere and [Bacary] Sagna, he is trying to show he should always be right-back for France."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close