Liverpool join Arsenal, Chelsea & Man Utd in race for Osimhen alternative

Cameron Smith

• 25 Aug 2024 15:30 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign Lille forward Jonathan David as Arne Slot pursues his first signing as Reds boss.

The Anfield outfit are the only Premier League club yet to sign a new player this summer, with Slot forced to make do with his current squad.

They are close to completing a deal for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, but their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi ended in disappointment, as he chose to remain at Real Sociedad.

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Liverpool are now hoping to sign David before the end of the summer transfer window, with Slot a big admirer of the 24-year-old, according to CaughtOffside.

Lille are demanding a fee of between €45-50 million for the Canada international, while Liverpool will reportedly offer him a four or five-year contract.

David already has three goals and one assist in five appearances so far this season, and he would likely challenge Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez for a starting berth at Anfield if he joins Liverpool.

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CaughtOffside note that Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Napoli are interested in David, while Manchester United were previously linked with a move earlier this summer.

The Canadian has just one year left on his Lille contract, and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €43.5m.

Jonathan David: A Victor Osimhen alternative?

Victor Osimhen is arguably the most in-demand striker in world football at current, with multiple clubs interested in signing him before Deadline Day.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and several teams in the Saudi Pro League are monitoring the Nigerian and they’re all eyeing a potential late move.

However, Napoli are demanding that his €130m release clause is paid in full, which could prove problematic.

As a result, David is a comparatively bargain alternative for clubs looking to sign a new centre-forward this summer.