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FRANCE international right-back Mathieu Debuchy is STILL interested in a move to Newcastle United – and will ask his representatives to revive his chances of a switch to Tyneside this January.

But the Magpies have already begun looking at fresh targets for the next window and Groningen defender Virgil van Dijk is a player Toon scouts have run the rule over since the new season kicked off, according to sources in Holland.

The Chronicle understands that Debuchy remains eager to quit Lille, having watched a move to United evaporate despite United believing they had agreed a fee with the 2011 French champions.

Debuchy was then linked with a transfer to Paris-Saint Germain, a move he was prepared to make to end his unhappiness at Lille.

But the cash-rich Middle East-backed outfit then pounced on another one-time United target, Dutchman Gregory van der Wiel – a player who had been offered to the Magpies – who joined them on September 1 for 6m (approximately £4.8m).

Debuchy’s misery then continued when he hurt his ankle playing for France against Uruguay in

a friendly in August. The has not played since, although Lille coach Rudi Garcia is hopeful he may be able to return to Ligue 1 action at Troyes on Saturday.

As we reported earlier this summer, Newcastle believed they had come to an agreement to sign Debuchy for around £6.3million, only for Lille to appear to move the goalposts as talk of add-on bonuses hiked up the price.

It left Debuchy without his move to the Premier League and, while there was fanciful talk of Real Madrid coming in for him, a move never materialised.

Despite Lille making it to the group stages of the Champions League with big games against Valencia and Bayern Munich to come, Debuchy is still believed to be open to the idea of a move to United in January and linking up with close pal Yohan Cabaye – who has always championed the defender’s capabilities.

United have already been hit by injuries in the opening weeks of the new campaign and the issue of cover is unlikely to go away with 24 games between now and January 1.

Danny Simpson has picked up a hamstring injury that could keep him out until late September or early October.

Simpson’s future also remains up in the air with his current deal expiring at the end of the season, leaving him free to talk to other clubs from January.

At 27, Debuchy is now just outside the Magpies’ blueprint age range but, according to reports in Holland, they have scouted van Dijk in recent weeks.

This isn’t the first time that the 21-year-old has been linked with United and, at such a tender age, he fits their recruitment criteria perfectly.

At 6ft 4in, van Dijk would provide cover in the centre of defence with Fabricio Coloccini’s recent injury trouble and James Perch’s neck problem highlighting the need for more back-up.

United currently find themselves back at the summit of a table they don’t want to lead. Popular website Physioroom.com sees them clear leaders of the Premier League’s injury table with nine so far.

United hope that Shola Ameobi, Haris Vuckic, Cheick Tiote and Sammy Ameobi are all back for the trip to Everton on Monday.