Newcastle finalised Debuchy deal

Newcastle United have completed the signing of French right back Mathieu Debuchy from Lille on a five-and-a-half year deal.



The defender was believed to be close to joining the Premier League side during the summer transfer window following a string of impressive performances during France's Euro 2012 campaign, only for the two clubs to be unable to agree a fee.



Debuchy was present during Newcastle's 2-1 defeat to Everton on Wednesday as he watched from the stands at St James' Park, and joins up with fellow France internationals Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye after completing the five-million-pound move.



"I hope I can bring something fresh to the team and help us get up to the highest possible position in the Premier League this season," Debuchy told the club's official website.



"I will give everything for this club."



Meanwhile, manager Alan Pardew admitted it was a 'huge relief' to secure the long-term target's signature.



"It's no secret we've been trailing him for some time now and to have reached this point fills me with great excitement and anticipation in respect of what he will be able to offer the team," said the Newcastle manager.



"At the same time it's a huge relief to actually have him with us now.



"He is an established top international player and it is a real coup for this club that we now have him at St James' Park.



"Mathieu will add real quality to our team, in terms of his ability, character and experience and I am sure he will quickly become a firm favourite among our fans too."



The right-back has 12 caps for his country so far, scoring one goal, whilst he won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France with Lille in 2011.



The France international is expected to feature in Newcastle's next Premier League fixture, against Norwich on January 12, however he will unavailable for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie away to Brighton.

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Newcastle in new Debuchy move

Newcastle have made a fresh move in their bid to capture Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy.



Press Association Sport understands the Magpies have stepped up their protracted pursuit of the 27-year-old defender, having so far not managed to persuade the French club to part with him.



Manager Alan Pardew had made the right-back one of his main targets this summer and will hope the latest offer will trigger a positive response.



Debuchy, an international team-mate of Yohan Cabaye, has indicated his desire to follow the midfielder to Newcastle, but having seen Cabaye's value increase significantly since his £4.8million switch last summer, Lille are holding out for their valuation.



Reports in France have suggested they want eight million euros - around £6.3million - a figure way in excess of the Magpies' initial offer.



Pardew has been waiting patiently for a breakthrough with one of his major targets - FC Twente defender Douglas and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll are among those about whom enquiries have been made - while at the same time bolstering his development squad with the acquisitions of Roman Amalfitano, Gael Bigirimana and Curtis Good.



However, with the start of the new season fast-approaching and the challenge of Europa League football to be added into the mix, further strengthening to the senior set-up is also required.

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Saha could still return to France

According to Talk Sport, Lille and Marseille are interested in signing French striker Louis Saha, who is currently in search of a new club.



Saha has been playing in the English Premier League for some time now and could be keen to finish his career in his home nation. He has not played in Ligue 1 for twelve years.



At 33-years-old it may be tough for him to find another club in England’s top flight but he is certainly still a talent and a move to one of these French giants could be the perfect choice for him.



Saha had expressed that he did not want to play in France but this could be the best option he has.



The former French international may sway towards Lille as they have a chance to be playing in the Champions League next season whereas Marseille finished tenth in the league.



It will be a tough choice for Saha and these two clubs being interested in his signature could spark a few more teams around Europe to make a move.



As a free agent, this could be one of the best deals in this summer’s transfer window. It is one to keep an eye on.

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Kalou agrees Lille switch

French newspaper L’Equipe reveals that Ivorian forward Salomon Kalou is set to sign a deal with Lille.



The 26-year-old has been a free agent since his contract at Stamford Bridge expired on 30th June, but he didn’t need a lot of time to find a new club.



According to L’Equipe, Kalou arrived in Lille yesterday evening, accompanied by his brother and agent Bonaventure, the former PSG player.



The player agreed a four-year deal with the French giants and after successfully passing a medical he is now expected to sign for les Dogues.



Kalou will receive a large signing bonus seeing that he arrives on a free transfer and he is expected to replace Joe Cole in the starting line-up, after the Englishman returned to Liverpool.



The Ivorian forward will see a move to Stade Lille Metropole as an opportunity to get his career back on track following several disappointing seasons at Stamford Bridge.

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