Newcastle United target Jonathan David is one of the most sought-after free agents in world football, but not for much longer.
The Canadian striker officially became a free agent on Tuesday after his Lille contract expired at the end of June. However, the race to secure Jonathan David’s signature has been going on for months.
Newcastle United have been in that race, having registered their interest in the 25-year-old. Geordie Boot Boys reported in September 2024 that Newcastle had spoken to David’s representatives about a possible move to St James’ Park.
Rumours of a switch to Tyneside continued, despite a deal always looking unlikely. That became even more true in May when it was reported that David was likely to join a club in Italy.
Jonathan David playing for Canada against Curacao at the Gold Cup.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
The club Jonathan David is joining on a free transfer
That is set to become a reality, with Fabrizio Romano providing the answer on who has won the race to sign David on a free transfer.
Juventus are going to come out on top, with Romano reporting that there is now an agreement between the Canada international and the Serie A giants.
Romano wrote on X: “Jonathan David to Juventus, here we go! Verbal agreement reached overnight on every detail with Canadian striker. Long term deal agreed and Jonathan David’s set to travel for medical tests, formal steps to follow. Contracts to be checked and signed soon.”
🚨⚪️⚫️ BREAKING: Jonathan David to Juventus, here we go! Verbal agreement reached overnight on every detail with Canadian striker.
Long term deal agreed and Jonathan David’s set to travel for medical tests, formal steps to follow.
Contracts to be checked and signed soon. pic.twitter.com/5ACbuXI6GN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 2, 2025
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Why fans should be grateful Jonathan David is not joining Newcastle United
A move to the North East of England has not felt likely for a long time, but now Newcastle United are officially missing out on David. He becomes the latest Toon striker target to move elsewhere, joining Liam Delap and Joao Pedro on that list.
But while not signing Delap and Pedro was disappointing, there should not be too many tears that David is going to be wearing the black and white of Juventus rather than Newcastle United.
That is because David was only ever going to join the Magpies as an Alexander Isak replacement. He is simply too good to be a backup striker, and that is what he would have been had he joined Newcastle – unless Isak left.
If Isak was leaving, David would have been the perfect replacement. He would have been a marquee addition, arriving as a player who is certainly capable of scoring the same number of goals as the Sweden international.
But Newcastle are not selling Isak, and having him and David at St James’ Park would not have been feasible. The only way it would have worked is if Eddie Howe started playing with two out-and-out strikers.
That is not going to happen, so in many ways Newcastle United fans should be grateful that David is going elsewhere.