Mathieu Debuchy 'to leave Arsenal on a free'

Mathieu Debuchy has reportedly asked Arsenal to cancel his contract in order that he can seal a switch to Saint-Etienne on a free transfer today.

The 32-year-old has been told that he can leave the club this month after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates, with Ligue 1 outfit Saint-Etienne interested in his signature as they gear up for a relegation scrap in the final few months of the campaign.

The right-back has 18 months remaining on his current deal but according to the Daily Mail, he is in talks with the Gunners in the hopes of persuading them to terminate his contract.

The newspaper says that Debuchy has already agreed terms with the French side over a short-term deal that will see him play for the club until the summer.

Arsenal could be reluctant to agree to Debuchy's proposal, however, having reportedly offered him to West Bromwich Albion as a makeweight in their attempted deal to bring Jonny Evans to the Emirates.