SAM ALLARDYCE has called time on his pursuit of Andre Ayew, and admitted he is not convinced Mathieu Debuchy will leave Arsenal this month.

The Sunderland boss has made a number of approaches for Ayew as he attempts to strengthen his attacking ranks before the transfer window closes on Monday evening.

Allardyce has raised the possibility of a £10m offer, with Fabio Borini potentially moving to the Liberty Stadium as part of the deal, but his approaches have constantly been rebuffed by Swansea officials.

As a result, he will now switch his attentions elsewhere as he looks to make his key signing of the window following the arrival of Jan Kirchhoff, Dame N’Doye, Steve Harper and Lamine Kone.

“Have we given up? Yes,” said Allardyce. “I can’t see Swansea selling Andre Ayew. I never really thought they would to be honest, and we haven’t put a bid in. It was a bit more speculation about whether Swansea would let him go.”

Allardyce has also been pursuing Debuchy, who has been offered the opportunity to join Sunderland on loan for the remainder of the season.

The former Newcastle United full-back has also been the subject of interest from Aston Villa and West Ham, but Allardyce is not convinced he will be leaving the Emirates.

“I’m not sure he really wants to leave Arsenal, or that Arsene Wenger would let him go,” said the Sunderland boss.

Sebastian Coates’ move to Sporting Lisbon will be confirmed in the next 24 hours, with the centre-half set to complete a loan until the end of the season, with a view to a €5m permanent deal in the summer.

The Uruguayan is unlikely to be the last player to leave this month, with Jordi Gomez and Adam Matthews also expected to head out of the Stadium of Light before the window closes.

“It’s a balancing act, and if we move people out it helps free up wages,” said Allardyce. “Jordi Gomez may go, and then there’s also Adam Matthews, who might go somewhere to play some football.”