Lille still unsure on future on Newcastle United target Mathieu Debuchy

Lille manager Rudi Garcia has admitted that he is still unsure whether Mathieu Debuchy will stay at the club.

The French international has been linked with a move to Newcastle United and Inter Milan in one of the longest-running transfer stories of the summer.

Lille have stayed firm in their resolve to keep the full-back and Garcia says that he wants the situation sorted before the season begins.

He said: "Of course I would like to keep him, but whatever happens, he must be ready.

"There are deadlines in France, we start on August 15. I hope he will be with us for the start of the season and if this is not the case then we will have found a substitute who is just as good."

Garcia was speaking following Lille's friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Friday, a match in which Debuchy played for 30 minutes before being replaced.