European giants send scouts to watch Arsenal target

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 18 Sept 2024 18:17 BST
• 3 min read

Juventus scouts were present to watch Jonathan David during Canada’s recent international against the United States.

SempreInter.com reports that Juventus scouts were present to watch Canada defeat the United States 2-1 in a friendly in Kansas during the international break.

Juve officials attended the game specifically to scout David and were impressed with what they saw as the Lille striker scored what proved to be the decisive second goal.

This sealed a historic victory for Canada as they beat their opponents on US soil for the first time in 67 years.

It also meant that David became the joint all-time top goal-scorer for Canada with 29 goals.

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SempreInter.com reports that Juventus are considering whether to make an offer for David in the new year.

David’s contract at Lille expires in the summer of 2025, meaning he will be able to discuss a free transfer move from January with Juventus and other interested parties.

He is understood to currently be in contract talks with Lille, who must act fast to tie him down.

Arsenal have been heavily linked in recent weeks with making a move for David in 2025, potentially as early as January.

The 24-year-old has also been a long-term target for Manchester United, who are also watching on developments ahead of 2025.

United have previously been in talks with Lille in recent seasons but never managed to progress negotiations to an advanced or completed stage.

Aston Villa are also interested in David, while the likes of Inter and Napoli are also fans.

A January transfer is not out of the question for David if he doesn’t sign an extension, as Lille attempt to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer.

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Jonathan David at Lille

David joined Lille in 2020 for €30 million from Gent and he has since developed into one of Europe’s most prolific strikers.

The Canada star has scored an impressive 72 goals in 148 games for Lille, averaging just under a goal every two games.

His last two seasons have been particularly impressive as he scored 26 goals in all competitions in 2022-23 and the same number in 2023-24.

He has 29 goals in just 56 games for Canada since making his debut in 2018.

His previous club was Gent where he scored 37 goals in 83 games.