Barcelona target FREE €37m forward

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 5 Oct 2024 10:46 BST
• 4 min read

Barcelona are looking to strengthen their attack in the summer window and Lille's Jonathan David has emerged as a key target.

The Blaugrana are tight on funds and the Canadian striker’s contract expires on June 30, while he seems unlikely to renew.

Spanish outlet Sport have revealed that David is very much of interest to the club, but the LaLiga giants face still competition from Premier League sides like Arsenal and Manchester United are also interested. Tottenham and Newcastle United are also mentioned as potential suitors.

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David is a name often put in the media. Last summer was another example of that, with the player linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester United. But with each window that passes, nothing ever materialises and he remains with French outfit Lille.

Current ETV

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

€37M

ETV Range

€27.8M - €46.3M

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Indeed, Lille president Olivier Letang publically announced that the 24-year-old was for sale early on in the summer window. The likes of Chelsea and Man Utd have been frequently linked with the striker, but no concrete offer was made.

Last month, trouble surfaced when he was dropped from Lille's game with Parisa Saint-Germain for disciplinary reasons.

Last season David scored a very impressive 26 goals across all competitions. But in this new campaign, he has now got off to a poor start.

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David dropped by Lille

He conspicuously absent from Lille's 3-1 loss to PSG in September. Coach Bruno Genesio initially put this down to squad rotation after playing in Europe midweek, but a report from L'Equipe cast doubt on his assertions. It was claimed that David and company had been dropped for disciplinary reasons after missing a team meal.

Lille released an official statement. “Firstly, the club would like to clarify that the decision was taken in a concerted way and was shared between the president and the manager. This decision came after these players failed to comply with internal regulations and collective rules that are in force in our team.

“LOSC stands – as a matter of fundamental principle – for the respect of internal and collective rules; rigour and expectations are values and ingredients. Finally, equality of treatment between all players must be absolute, with no one above the club or the collective. The subject is now closed and is in the past."