Sam Allardyce is keen on bringing Mathieu Debuchy to the Stadium of Light as the Arsenal man stalls on a move to Aston Villa.

The Black Cats boss was allegedly in London on Monday in order to try and strike a deal with the player he sees as being an upgrade as they try and avoid the drop.

Arsenal are said to want to get rid of Debuchy on a permanent basis but the Frenchman is simply eyeing a loan deal that would allow him to get some playing time under his belt ahead of the Euros this summer, when he will then assess his situation.

Sam Allardyce, manager of Sunderland looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and A.F.C. Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light on January 23, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Make mine a Debuchy (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It’s very clear that his short spell at Arsenal is over and, through no fault of his own, has been a total disaster.

These things happen, I guess, but how Arsenal approach the business end of the season with only one recognised right back (and Calum Chambers/Francis Coquelin) is of far greater importance to us than someone who no longer wants to remain at the club and fight for his place.

Bayern Munich's French midfielder Kingsley Coman (L) and Arsenal's French defender Mathieu Debuchy vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group F second-leg football match between FC Bayern Munich and Arsenal FC in Munich, southern Germany, on November 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOF STACHE
Mathieu looking for an exit plan AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOF STACHE

Where he will end up, though, is still a little bit of a mystery at the moment.

Sunderland are currently 19th, six points above Villa who are rooted to the foot of the table.