New Arsenal transfer chief’s first summer signing

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 5 Mar 2025 13:01 GMT
• 3 min read

News

Incoming Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta may have already found his first signing of the summer.

According to Sacha Tavolieri, Arsenal are set to offer an official contract to Lille striker Jonathan David in the coming weeks.

The Gunners are confident of getting the prolific Canadian, who has been one of the best players in Ligue 1 of the last few years.

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If completed, David would become incoming Arsenal transfer chief Berta's first signing at the club.

Berta is expected to officially start his job as Arsenal sporting director this month.

He will replace Edu in the role after the Brazilian left Arsenal in November to join Nottingham Forest and their overarching network.

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David is out of contract at Lille at the end of the season and has no intention of signing a renewal.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a host of top European clubs such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and Inter.

It is reported he has already rejected a pre-contract offer from West Ham.

Arsenal have made the signing of a top-class number nine one of their priorities for the summer transfer window.

They have been playing without a real striker for the best part of two seasons now, with Kai Havertz occupying the position for much of that time.

This summer Arsenal plan to finally sign a real number nine.

Jonathan David at Lille

David joined Lille from Gent in 2020 and has had a prolific five years at the Ligue 1 club.

He has scored over 100 goals for the club, leading Lille to the Ligue 1 title in the 2020/21 season, as well as the Trophee des Champions in 2021.

This season he has enjoyed another goal-filled season, finding the back of the net 21 times in 38 appearances.

David has also won 59 caps for Canada, scoring 31 goals.

He is the most expensive Canadian of all time thanks to his €30 million move to Lille from Gent in 2020.