Now the chance may have gone, because Juventus are set to sign the French left-back in January.
Mathieu Debuchy is not ruling anything out in the January transfer window, saying he does not expect to leave Lille in the middle of the season ... but could reconsider if a big club made a move.
The France international was targeted by Newcastle United in the summer and was disappointed at the time when a move did not go through.
Apparently, Debuchy is not a fan of the winter transfer market and expects to stay at Lille until at least the end of the season.
Mathieu Debuchy: "I didn't think about that period so far, but I can't see me leaving a team in the middle of the season.
"I don't like that winter transfer market. However, you never know what can happen in football.
"I prefer to not think about it. I met my officials last summer, and there were things I appreciated and others I did not."
Juventus coach Antonio Conte is a big fan of Debuchy and tried to sign him earlier in his career.