Arsenal to face HUGE competition for in-demand star

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 16 Nov 2024 12:26 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal will face significant competition for one of the most in-demand players across Europe after it was revealed that a major European heavyweight are looking to swoop for the bargain signing.

The Gunners will look to strengthen up in attack in 2025 after spending big on their defence and midfield during the summer with the signings of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino.

Arsenal allowed the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson to leave this summer and, while Raheem Sterling was brought in as a temporary stop-gap on loan from Chelsea, Mikel Arteta is keen to make a permanent signing for his first team.

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Although Arsenal have held interest in players such as Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak, both players could prove expensive, particularly with Kai Havertz still preferred as Arteta’s figurehead up front.

Instead, Arsenal have positioned themselves in the race to sign Jonathan David, with the Lille forward set to become a free agent next summer when his contract expires.

However, David’s form this season has increased the competition in his signature, with Manchester United and Chelsea amongst the sides interested, and a new side are now also preparing to throw their name into the ring.

Bayern looking to swoop for David

Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed that David is on the list of Bayern Munich, with his availability on a free transfer proving attractive to the German giants.

Bayern are hoping to sign more competition for Harry Kane but they are reluctant to spend big after splashing €95 million on the England captain last summer.

STATS

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

All Tournaments

2024/25

• 20

  Games

• 13

  Goals

• 3

  Assists

View all stats

David may also need to be convinced over a move to a club where he will not be the first choice striker but Bayern are hoping his relationship with Alphonso Davies could swing momentum in their favour.

Davies is a close friend of Canadian teammate David and Bayern are hoping that the pursuit of the Lille star will help convince their left-back to pen a new contract, with his deal also set to expire next summer.

David has not made a decision over his future and will likely have the pick of a host of top sides after netting seven goals in eight Ligue 1 starts this season as well as scoring four times in the Champions League so far.