Bordeaux want Mathieu Debuchy permanently

It hasn’t been a great year or so for 30-year-old Arsenal right-back and French international Mathieu Debuchy.

After getting injured shortly after his transfer from Newcastle United, Debuchy was replaced by young Spanish right-back Hector Bellerin, who has made a big splash despite being very young. Upon Debuchy’s return from injury, he was reinjured by Stoke City’s Marco Arnautovic, who maliciously and unnecessarily pushed Debuchy down towards the signboards at the Emirates, leaving him out for another long while. Bellerin consolidated his spot as first-choice right-back and Debuchy’s few appearances since have been both uninspired and uninspiring.

Debuchy then spent the latter portion of the 2015-16 season on loan at Bordeaux, hoping to regain his form and earn a spot in Didier Deschamps’ France side ahead of Euro 2016 — but, in a shocking departure from past events, picked up an injury that meant he had to miss the tournament.

Debuchy is back training with Arsenal and started at right-back in Arsenal’s draw against Lens last week but many, this writer included, would not be surprised if he looked for a permanent move away after things have just seemed unable to break his way in the past couple of years. Arsenal have plenty of cover at right back with Bellerin, Carl Jenkinson, Calum Chambers, and new signing Rob Holding all capable of playing or deputizing at right back, and a change of scenery would probably be good for Debuchy, not to mention that he’s likely looking to play as much as he can as his career begins to arc towards retirement.

In that vein, Le Parisien are reporting that Bordeaux are back in for Debuchy, opening negotiations for a permanent deal. Arsenal signed Debuchy in 2014 for a fee in the neighborhood of £10 million; his lack of playing time at the club and international level and his injury record will likely mean he commands a lower fee now, but you never know with the market being what it is. Debuchy is currently under contract until 2019.

He hasn’t been great, but I genuinely feel badly for Debuchy. He seemed to really be happy for the move to Arsenal and has had terrible luck with injuries. This move would likely be for the best.