Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Mathieu Debuchy and Serge Gnabry Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly ready to let Mathieu Debuchy leave the Emirates Stadium for West Bromwich Albion during this transfer window, with the Baggies also said to be happy to allow Gunners loanee Serge Gnabry to return to the club after failing to impress at the Hawthorns.

According to Paul Stuart of the Birmingham Mail, West Brom will seek to complete a temporary deal for Debuchy once Gnabry has left, with no Premier League side allowed to loan two players from a club in the same division.

“Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants to prematurely recall the Germany under-21 star, as the London side target the Premier League title,” writes Stuart. “But they could face resistance from West Brom who are yet to authorise Gnabry's return—even though Albion boss Tony Pulis has been less than impressed.”

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For Debuchy, a move would make sense. The full-back has made just two starts for the Gunners in the Premier League this season, and although he’s done well when he has featured, Hector Bellerin’s rapid rise has meant the Frenchman has been pushed down the pecking order.

As Squawka Football noted recently, despite playing at full-back, the young Spaniard has been having a huge influence on games for the Gunners:

Debuchy needs minutes, though, especially as he seeks to ensure he remains in France manager Didier Deschamps’ plans for the European championships next summer. The full-back has long been a regular in the French national squad and will be desperate to play a part at Euro 2016, which will be hosted by his country.

However, with minimal minutes played, it’s tough to see Debuchy starting games at the tournament. West Brom, who are short of quality options in the right-back slot, would be able to give the 30-year-old the game time he requires to prove he still should be flanking what is a very talented French defence.

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According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness), Roma are also interested in the defender, but with Gnabry reportedly ready to end his spell with the Baggies prematurely, a path seems to have been paved to the Hawthorns for Debuchy.

As noted by the Baggies Galore Twitter feed, the young winger and West Brom boss Tony Pulis don’t seem an ideal fit:

"

So Gnabry recalled by Arsenal after just 12 minutes of PL football with us. Good player, bright future. Was never going to work with TP.

— Baggies Galore (@BaggiesGalore) January 4, 2016"

Gnabry, as aforementioned, has hardly featured for West Brom, with Pulis preferring his players to be industrious rather than intricate. It means the Arsenal loanee has spent more time on the fringes of the squad and playing with the reserve team than getting time on the field that would be crucial to his development.

According to John Percy of the Daily Telegraph, “a string of Championship clubs, including Brighton” want to take Gnabry on loan for the rest of the season.

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It’ll be interesting to see whether manager Arsene Wenger shifts Gnabry straight back out again. There’s no denying he’s talented, and at just 20 years old, there’s still a lot of developing for the winger to do. But with a convoluted January on the cards, perhaps there will be an opportunity for him to get some sort of run-out.

Debuchy’s scenario seems much more clear-cut, and for a player who is in his peak years, a similarly patient approach cannot be taken. Missing out on the summer showpiece would be galling for the Frenchman, and while he’s shown he can be a useful squad member, Wenger will surely not begrudge him the chance of some regular football elsewhere.