With West Ham’s need for a striker all too evident this season, one player who was on the radar and available on a free transfer has had a quiet start to his career in Serie A.
Jonathan David opted to join Juventus over West Ham – and has scored one goal in 9 appearances across all competitions with one assist.
David’s solitary goal was on his Serie A debut back in late August against Parma.
The rejection of West Ham was inevitable, yet the Hammers were not alone in their pursuit of the Canadian international, and the striker had a wide choice of destinations.
The signing by Juventus was a big coup, with the player putting pen to paper on a five year contract worth approximately €11.1m a year, making him one of the highest earners at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
David has been linked with a move to West Ham
Jonathan David: Could West Ham have afforded the striker?
Skint West Ham can’t pay Wilson?
Given Andy Goldstein’s claim on TalkSport that Callum Wilson was left out of Monday night’s 2-0 defeat to Brentford at the London Stadium to avoid triggering appearance-related payments, the idea that West Ham could have realistically afforded a player of Jonathan David’s calibre borders on the absurd.
With Champions League Football on offer, there was no contest, though Juventus are currently seventh in the Serie A, four points away from leaders AC Milan.
His career statistics speak volumes, 37 goals in 71 appearances for Canada, 37 goals in 83 matches for Belgian side KAA Gent, and a remarkable 109 goals in 232 games for Lille in Ligue 1. Such numbers underscore his reputation as a prolific scorer and hint that his current dry spell may be temporary
David’s career stats speak volumes:
Most Read on West Ham News
37 goals in 71 appearances for Canada
37 goals in 83 games for KAA Gent
109 goals in 232 appearances for Lille
For West Ham, the rejection stings more deeply given their ongoing struggles in front of goal. While David focuses on carving out a successful chapter in Turin, the Hammers remain mired in a Premier League relegation battle and in desperate need of a striker.
If David finds his rhythm in Italy, Juventus may have pulled off one of the smartest free transfers of the season.