Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy has admitted he was on the verge of joining Newcastle in the summer.
The Magpies had been following the player throughout last season and finally decided to step up their interest in the summer transfer window.
However, Lille president Michel Seydou ultimately pulled the plug on the deal, leaving the player very disappointed.
“The President [Michel Seydou] did not want me to go to Newcastle but yes, I was disappointed,” Debuchy said in a TV show Club Liza on RTL.
“I hope there will be other opportunities but that episode is past now and I’m 200 per cent committed to Lille.”
With Danny Simpson unlikely to extend his contract that expires at the end of the season, there is every chance Newcastle will return for the France international in the January transfer window.
The Magpies are encouraged by the player’s desire to join the club and are set to make another attempt to lure the player to St James Park.
The 27-year-old full-back has spent his entire career at Lille, making 226 Ligue 1 appearances for les Dogues and scoring 16 goals in the process.
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