Lille manager Rudi Garcia has tonight admitted that Mathieu Debuchy wishes to leave the club this summer, with Italian media reporting that Newcastle have made a revised bid for the France right-back.
The defender has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan since his impressive performances for France in Euro 2012.
Newcastle had an initial bid of €5 million rejected as ‘unacceptable‘ by President Michel Seydoux. They have now made an increased offer of €7.5 million – which is closer to Lille’s valuation of €8-9 million.
Earlier today, Lille boss Rudi Garcia told French sports radio station, RMC, that Lille are themselves considering what is best for the club:
“Mathieu wants to leave. But we had no plans for him to leave. He will only leave when I have found someone equally as good to replace him. And that will cost a lot of money.
“Mathieu is one of my key players. He sets an example, a young man who has been brought up well and gives his all for the cause.
“My role is not to put the team in jeopardy. If we find a replacement for him of the same stature, and the right club comes in for Mathieu, then he can leave.”
Debuchy is good friends with Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye – who made his move from Lille to Tyneside last summer. The Frenchman has played 288 games for Lille, scoring 17 times. He is contracted to the club until 2015.
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