A number of top Premier League clubs would have been put on high alert this week when reports broke suggesting that Lille are open to selling striker Jonathan David this summer.
Lille would not consider letting the forward go in January, but he is now one of several players that could be allowed to leave at the end of this season.
David is under contract at Lille until 2025, however, it’s been suggested that he could be available for as little as £42million.
It’s thought that Lille may be looking to recoup funds following a disappointing campaign that’s left last season’s Ligue 1 winners sitting ninth and five points adrift of the top six, meaning they’re almost certain to miss out on European football.
Despite his team’s issues throughout this campaign, David has still managed to score 14 goals across all competitions - one more than he managed last season - and he remains one of the most revered young forwards in Europe.
The 22-year-old came to Europe from Canada in 2018, initially joining Gent where he quickly rose to prominence after netting 37 goals while registering a further 15 assists in just two seasons. His performances in that time put him on the radar of a number of big European clubs, and it was eventually Lille who made the move in the summer of 2020.
Although at Gent David played mostly in an attacking midfield role, he’s been deployed and excelled within a front two at Lille. His capacity to thrive both leading a line or playing behind a striker is a testament to his versatility, and that’s something that will appeal to any interested clubs.
One Premier League team we can confidently assume will be interested in David is Arsenal. We know they’re keen to strengthen their attack this summer as they aim to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who departed in January as well as Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette who will most likely leave for free at the end of the season.
David ticks multiple boxes in terms of replacing what some of those key departees offer. He’s excellent in between the lines, able to link attacks and play the role of facilitator. However his scoring record also highlights that he’s a dangerous and efficient finisher.
Some have put the latter into doubt in more recent weeks as the forward has scored just one league goal in 2022.
However, he’s still performing in line with his Expected goal (xG) total (12.6) for the season meaning there should be no bigger concern to worry about and he should get back on track soon enough.
Given David’s age, current ability and future potential, £42million looks like a bargain. Arsenal will therefore need to move fast, as competition for his signature is likely to be high, especially with other Premier League rivals such as Newcastle making it a priority to bring in at least one new quality striker this summer.
They have the budget and the resources to spend on a player like David, though it’s not yet clear if they’d be attractive enough to entice the 22-year-old.
