ARSENAL are ready to test Newcastle United’s resolve by making a firm offer for £12m-rated Mathieu Debuchy.

Bacary Sagna’s move to Manchester City has left Arsene Wenger considering replacements and the Newcastle full-back is at the top of his wanted list.

Debuchy, preferred by Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps at the World Cup to Sagna, has been the subject of speculation since his close friend, Yohan Cabaye, departed for Paris St Germain in January.

PSG are considering him as a summer recruit, although Arsenal’s interest has been known since it became apparent that Sagna was on his way out of the Emirates Stadium.

Debuchy moved to Tyneside from Lille in January last year for £5.5m and after a relatively slow start he was one of Newcastle’s best players last season.

Even if the 28-year-old outlines a wish to leave, though, Newcastle are in a strong position to retain his services because he still has four years remaining on his contract.

The Magpies have already found it difficult to bring in new additions this summer. Hertha Berlin’s £9.5m-rated Pierre-Michel Lasogga, expected to sign for Hamburg this week, and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette are the two prime striking targets for Newcastle.

Since goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon followed Jordi Gomez and Billy Jones to Sunderland earlier this month, Gustavo Poyet has been unable to make further additions.

As well as having money to spend on a couple of players – with Liverpool’s Fabio Borini high in his thinking – he also wants to exploit the loan market like the Black Cats did last season.

Arsenal’s Costa Rican Joel Campbell, who spent last season on loan at Olympiakos, and Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma are two of those in his thinking.