Lille chief plays hardball over Toon target Debuchy

Lille president Michel Seydoux has told Newcastle to forget about signing Mathieu Debuchy after rejecting their latest offer.

It emerged yesterday that the Magpies had tabled an improved offer for the 27-year-old France international after a pursuit lasting months. However, Lille, who sold midfielder Yohan Cabaye to the Tyneside club for a bargain £4.8 million (€6.1m) last summer, have refused to budge on their valuation.

Seydoux said: “I have decided Mathieu Debuchy will remain at LOSC. The offer from Newcastle is definitely not at the value of the player.”