Aston Villa boss Remi Garde clashed with sporting director Hendrik Almstadt over a failed deal for Mathieu Debuchy.

The Daily Mail says the Arsenal right-back was a target for Garde during January and it is understood talks were held between the two Frenchman at Bodymoor Heath with Arsene Wenger's blessing in the middle of last month.

Almstadt, though, is thought to have been angry at his limited role in negotiations and told Garde as such, prompting a riposte.

In the end the deal did not progress because Villa's financial team, including head of recruitment Paddy Riley, were reluctant to spend more than £1million on any loan fee.