Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 10y

Mathieu Debuchy open to Magpies exit

Mathieu Debuchy has said he loves playing in front of Newcastle United's "extraordinary fans," but has not ruled out leaving the club.

Since joining the Magpies from Lille last January, 28-year-old Debuchy has been first-choice right-back and earned the same status within the French national team.

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He signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at St. James' Park, but has frequently been linked with a move to a more high-profile club.

Paris Saint-Germain, who snapped up his former Magpies teammate and international colleague Yohan Cabaye in January, have been mentioned as a likely destination, and Debuchy has said he is flattered by their interest.

Speaking from France's World Cup base in Brazil, however, he said Newcastle and their fans had made a big impression on him.

"It's really incredible to play in that atmosphere," Debuchy said. "Having said that, I miss European football, and the Champions League in particular.

"For the moment, I'm concentrating on the World Cup -- and we'll see about the rest afterwards."

After helping Les Bleus to back-to-back victories in Group E, Debuchy may be rested for Wednesday's final group stage encounter with Ecuador in Rio de Janeiro, where Didier Deschamps' men are expected to comfortably clinch a place in the round of 16.

"Personally, I want to play. It's the World Cup, we've dreamed about this. I want to play every game," Debuchy said, adding that he still felt he needed to prove himself in order to fend off the challenge of Bacary Sagna for a place in the starting XI.

"I don't feel like I'm first-choice. I ask questions of myself after every game," he added. "When I'm called upon, I try to give my all."

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