Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Mathieu Debuchy Rumours and Samuel Chukwueze

The 2015-16 season could have shaped up very differently for Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy following his claims Manchester United plotted a January bid for his services. Plus, Nigerian youngster Samuel Chukwueze is on the brink of a move to north London.

Speaking to French broadcaster Canal Plus, Debuchy confirmed Gunners manager Arsene Wenger stopped his loan move to Old Trafford from going through after the Red Devils enquired about his services (h/t Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News):

"

Yes, at the end of the transfer window they came in. They contacted my agents. I was disappointed, obviously. If I had the chance to go to Manchester United it would have been magnificent. Unfortunately it wasn't the case. I discussed it with the coach too, who said that obviously he couldn't help out a rival.

I'm a little bit annoyed by him [Wenger]. It's his choice. I came back well this summer, I had a good preseason. I was able to talk to him to know my future at Arsenal. He said that I would have game time and that we would discuss it in December. Unfortunately, I didn't have this game time.

"

Former Lille star Debuchy ultimately returned to Ligue 1 after agreeing a six-month loan deal with Bordeaux, during which he'll look to restore his reputation ahead of France's Euro 2016 campaign.

The 30-year-old made just seven appearances for Arsenal across all competitions this season prior to joining Bordeaux in January, but it appears the player might have preferred a loan transfer to Old Trafford.

Romain Perrocheau/Getty Images

Luckhurst mentioned Manchester United's approaches for Inter's Yuto Nagatomo and Olympiakos star Omar Elabdellaoui, proving the Red Devils were in the market to sign cover in the right-back position.

Wenger's reluctance to sell to a domestic rival was perhaps to be expected, and Football 365 highlighted the humdrum day of activity that unfolded on January's transfer deadline day:

On the arrival's list, Arsenal can expect to complete the signature of Chukwueze in the coming days, it seems, after he told AfricanFootball.com he was on his way to England's capital (h/t Metro's Tom Olver): "My trip to London is on Monday night. I’m happy that everything is going well and I will do my best when I get there by the grace of God."

According to BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji, securing a British visa was the only thing preventing the winger from sealing his move to Arsenal:

There, he's expected to link up with Nigerian under-17 team-mate Kelechi Nwakali, the countryman alongside whom he ran to victory at last year's FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

It's possible former Arsenal and Nigeria striker Nwankwo Kanu played a role in luring the pair of youngsters to north London, and Chukwueze looks poised to finally seal a long-anticipated switch.