Alan Pardew let it slip: "I'll be watching a French player I'd love to sign after the competition, so I hope he doesn't play too well."
But Debuchy has ben a star for France.
Chelsea may have spent over ￡40m before most clubs have opened their chequebook this summer, but Chelsea look set to continue their spending spree by adding the French full back to their big-money squad.
Chelsea have been active in bringing in two of the continent’s most highly-prized stars, Werder Bremen’s Marko Marin and Lille’s Eden Hazard.
Robert Di Matteo’s appointment has been confirmed, and he says Debuchy is the player he now wants.
Debuchy was picked out by Head Scout Graham Carr last January, but it seems Newcastle’s failure to seal any deal before the European Championships could count against them.
With Danny Simpson yet to agree a new deal on Tyneside and linked with a move south to Fulham, Newcastle hoped Debuchy would be the perfect man to replace him, with his pre-tournament price of ￡6m the sort of transfer free Newcastle were happy to pay.
But, with big-money Chelsea in the market for a right back ... the price will double.