Newcastle United are on the brink of a £7.5 million deal for Lille fullback Mathieu Debuchy.

The Daily Star says the Geordies have used Debuchy's international team-mate Yohan Cabaye to help persuade the 26-year-old to ignore interest from Italy and move to Newcastle.

After agreeing a fee with Lille at the third time of asking, the Toon are thrashing out personal terms on a four-year deal worth in the region of £40,000 a week for their new arrival.