Arsenal are reportedly keen to release defender Mathieu Debuchy on a free transfer this summer, with the Frenchman not being in their plans for the upcoming season.

According to talkSPORT, Arsenal are willing to pay off the last two years of his contract in order to push through a speedy exit. The Gunners paid £12m for his signature from Newcastle back in 2014, where he’s since earned about £6m-a-year.

Unlikely to accept less than his contract, Arsenal could be losing over £20m on a player who made just 23 appearances in all competitions in the last three years. Injuries and poor form kept Debuchy out of the starting lineup for the large part, but his failure to seek a move will irk manager Arsene Wenger.

The 31-year-old, who made just one appearance for the Arsenal first-team, featuring three times for the reserves, has turned down loan moves and permanent offers from clubs in order to stay at the Emirates. And now the Londoners are considering paying off his contract to have him leave permanently.

Arsenal will have lost the £12m transfer fee and may have to spend in excess of £10m for Debuchy to accept a mutual termination.