Arsenal set to sign Newcastle star after World Cup

Arsenal’s search for a right back appears to be over with the Daily Star claiming the Gunners are set to announce the signing of French international Mathieu Debuchy to fill the void left by Bacary Sagna.

Replacing Sagna, who left to join rivals Manchester City after his contract expired at the Emirates Stadium, has been a top priority for Arsene Wenger this summer with Ivory Coast star Serge Aurier one of the names touted for a move to north London.

But Wenger appears to have settled for the man who has kept Sagna out of the France side in Brazil and it is reported that last season’s FA Cup winners have agreed a fee with Newcastle in the region of £12m.

In recent weeks the 28-year-old, who has made 43 appearances for the Magpies since joining the club in January 2013, has played down speculation surrounding his future.

But the former Lille full-back did drop a hint about a future move away from St James’ Park when he said last week: “I miss European football and the Champions League in particular.

“For the moment, I’m concentrating on the World Cup. We’ll see about the rest afterwards.”

The Frenchman, who scored his only goal for the Toon in the Tyne-Wear Derby against Sunderland, will be a huge loss to Alan Pardew’s side but his arrival will boost Arsenal as they bid to mount a Premier League challenge.

Wenger’s men are 8/1 with Ladbrokes to win a first title since 2004 and it is no secret that the Gunners are keen to strengthen their squad further ahead of the campaign.

One man eager to join Arsenal is Colombia striker Jackson Martinez.

The striker, who has fired 60 goals in 91 games for Porto, has admitted he would relish a move to the Premier League with Arsenal after revealing he supported the club as a boy.

First Martinez has the small matter of a World Cup quarter-final against Brazil to take care of with his side 10/3 with the bookmaker to upset the hosts and reach the semi-final.

The 27-year-old, who scored twice in Colombia’s 4-1 group stage win over Japan, is 9/1 to score the first goal of Friday’s contest and is 7/2 to score at any time against the Brazilians.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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