Lille's France full-back Debuchy could become Pardew's first January signing later this week, ending a protracted chase that started more than a year ago.
And Pardew feels it would be a massive boost to his injury-hit squad, which takes on Everton on Wednesday on a run of eight defeats in 10 games and with uncertainty over the future of star striker Demba Ba.
Pardew said: "When you sign good, senior international players, which he is, it's going to give everybody a boost, your senior players too. I hope that's the case - but we are still far from a deal yet.
"We have got some fantastic players who are not contributing at the minute. Our whole first-choice midfield, except maybe Cheick [Tiote], is sitting in the treatment room, so once they come back...
"We were a little bit more positive on Monday on the training ground. Yohan Cabaye was running around, Steven Taylor is running around on the training pitch, and suddenly that has given everyone a little lift."
Pardew now hopes to turn around their fortunes at St James' Park on Wednesday, and banish memories of Saturday's humbling 7-3 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.
"I can honestly say the players played with all their hearts at Arsenal, but perhaps not with their minds. We have got to be a little bit more intelligent than we were in the second half at Arsenal.
"But there was a big fatigue factor in there and sometimes, it can make your mind dull as well as make your legs not run as fast."
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