€40m striker confirms talks amid Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal interest

Robin Bairner

9 Sept 2024 06:37 BST
2 min read

Jonathan David, Lille, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Lille striker Jonathan David has been the subject of transfer interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham in recent months, and it came as a major shock that he did not move in the summer.

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David is out of contract with the Ligue 1 side next summer and had seemed destined for a major transfer in the summer as numerous Premier League sides circled him.

After scoring 26 goals across 47 appearances in all competitions last season and finishing the campaign particularly well, it came as a surprise there was not a more intense battle for the centre-forward, who was especially heavily tracked by Arsenal before Lille signed him.

Current ETV

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

ETV Range

€30.3M - €50.5M

The 24-year-old can open contract talks over a transfer as a free agent as of January, but Lille are now seeking to tie David down to an extended contract to ensure they don’t lose a player they signed in 2020 from Gent for nothing.

“Right now, we’re speaking with Lille president Olivier Letang about a possible extension. We’ll see how that goes,” David explained, according to Sky Sports.

David open to offers

The Canada international, who netted in a 2-1 win over the USA last weekend, has said he would like to play in England in the past, yet he has opened the door to a move elsewhere.

“I’m open to anything. I think obviously the Premier League is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world,” he explained.

“And for me, it’s not the Premier League or bust. I’m open to anything and every league has its challenges.”

David has an Expected Transfer Value (ETV) of €40.4 million, though this is starting to drop as the end of his contract rapidly approaches. Indeed, at the end of the season, he was worth €45.7m, and this dip can be explained by his increasing likelihood to become a free agent.

He will hope to star with Lille in the Champions League this season, with glamour matches against Real Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool forthcoming.