Man Utd should turn to €50m striker as Hojlund support

Robin Bairner

• 8 Aug 2024 09:06 BST
• 14 min read

Manchester United’s hunt for a second striker to act as support for Rasmus Hojlund is not proving easy, yet there is one option who could offer the Red Devils what they need at low cost to add depth to their squad.

Lille forward Jonathan David is a possibility worth exploring for Erik ten Hag’s side, with the 24-year-old out of contract next summer having made his desire for a new challenge clear.

With an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €43.5 million and a reported asking price of €50m, he is not exactly in the bargain basement when it comes to potential signings, yet if Man Utd are to regain the stature they once had, it will require some significant investment.

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Current ETV

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

€43.5M

ETV Range

€32.6M - €54.3M

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The upsides on Jonathan David are, equally, significant.

He was the best centre-forward in Ligue 1 last season, according to SciSports, a campaign in which he finished with 19 goals after a slow start. Indeed, the former Gent striker offers a guarantee of goals, having struck at least 15 in each of his last three seasons with LOSC.

A strong comparison in the Premier League would be Dominic Solanke, with Tottenham plumping for the Bournemouth forward over David as they seek a starting striker this summer.

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Jonathan David vs Ligue 1 strikers: 2023/24

SciSports also reports that he is capable of slotting in as a first-team player immediately at Old Trafford based on his statistical performance. Indeed, he is currently a stronger option than the currently injured Hojlund according to the data analytics experts, albeit he has a lower potential.

“Jonathan is not only important as a striker but because of his personality and his great state of mind, his sense of sacrifice,” Lille teammate Benjamin Andre said recently, underlining that it is not just in terms of his stats he has an impact on his team.

The one catch

If there is a drawback for United, it is that David is a very different type of centre-forward to Hojlund.

The North American typically acts as a poacher, whereas Hojlund is a pressing forward or even shadow striker.

On one hand, this could provide Ten Hag with a different tool to breakdown defences, but on the other it suggests that David could struggle to fit in with United’s system.

Jonathan David vs Rasmus Hojlund: Playing style

Certainly, the player appears to be angling for a move to England. He has already rejected the possibility of moving to Serie A with Roma.

Lille, meanwhile, are being as bullish as possible on their stance.

Speaking to L’Equipe on the subject of Jonathan David, president Olivier Letang said: “Anything’s possible. He’s focused on our European games with the aim of qualifying for the Champions League.

“Lille don’t need to sell. The Champions League is not vital for us, fortunately. One thing is for certain: there will be no departure if we don’t have the capacity to replace him.”

With goals guaranteed, a reasonable price tag on his head and a burning desire to play in the Premier League, David is the type of player Man Utd should be looking at, even if his playing style is not ideal for the Old Trafford side.