EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd and Aston Villa battle over Jonathan David

Robin Bairner

• 8 Jan 2024 06:00 CST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Manchester United and Aston Villa are very interested in signing Lille striker Jonathan David during the January transfer window, FootballTransfers can confirm.

Both clubs have been kept updated on the situation of the 23-year-old Canada international forward, who is a player who has been linked with a string of big clubs for several seasons.

David has made it clear that he is eager to move on from Lille and a deal could be struck in the weeks ahead with Man Utd and Villa, both of whom are in the market for a centre-forward with his qualities.

United are eager to find some additional firepower wherever possible. Erik ten Hag’s side have scored the fewest goals of any team in the top half of the Premier League, with Rasmus Hojlund having struggled to make his mark domestically this season.

David was a player that the Red Devils studied in the summer as an alternative to Harry Kane, who ultimately moved to Bayern Munich after they were priced out of a deal for the England captain.

Equally, Aston Villa are seeking additional support for Ollie Watkins, who has been one of the standout forwards in the Premier League this season by scoring nine times.

Competition for the striker could come from Serie A via AC Milan, who see him as an ideal replacement for Olivier Giroud, yet David wants to play in England and has his heart set on the Premier League.

Although Arsenal were beaten to him by Lille, their interest in the player appears to have faded.

David wants a transfer

Speaking in December 2022, David’s agent Nick Mavromaras, indicated that the player was seeking a transfer for summer 2023, yet after missing that deadline, the possibility of a January deal is live.

“I think the Premier League is a good option for him,” Mavromaras told Radio Canada.

“I think that he likes Spain a lot also because he likes the feeling of the ball and the very technical players. These two leagues are a big priority for him, but nothing is excluded.”

David, who is under contract until 2026 after joining the Ligue 1 side from Gent in 2020 for €27m, has had a tricky campaign will Lille, scoring a disappointing five league goals in 17 outings.

He did, however, rediscover his best level prior to the winter break and scored three times in his last five matches.

Over the weekend, David starred as Lille defeated amateur side Golden Lions from Martinique 12-0 in the Coupe de France, scoring a hat-trick, producing three assists and winning a penalty in an emphatic success.

David has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €44.8 million, down from a peak of €62m in the summer.