Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images
Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images
Jonathan David is said to be on Everton’s transfer radar, and he has the potential to be a game-changing signing through both his attacking output and his pressing.
Everton fans were clamouring for a new striker in January, with neither Thierno Barry nor Beto pulling up trees.
Troy Parrott lined up for the Republic of Ireland. Ivan Toney playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. Richarlison playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Troy Parrott lined up for the Republic of Ireland. Ivan Toney playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. Richarlison playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Barry and Beto have both had decent moments this season. But the consensus is still that Everton could upgrade their striker department.
No new player arrived in January in the end, and it remains to be seen if Barry and Beto can help fire Everton to Europe.
Regardless of whether that happens though, a new number nine is likely to be on the agenda – and links to Jonathan David are definitely exciting.
Jonathan David would be a serious coup by Everton
Jonathan David claps the fans.
Photo by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images
David has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, having come onto the scene at Belgian side Gent.
After hitting 37 goals in 83 games, David transferred to French club – which is where he really made his name.
The striker scored 109 goals in 232 appearances, and also supplied a respectable 31 assists.
In 2020/21, David played a key role for Lille as they surged to the French league title surprising everyone by pipping hot favourites Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 13 league goals.
David’s output of to date of 153 goals in 352 club appearances, along with 51 assists, makes him an exciting potential signing for Everton.
Furthermore, he’s bagged 37 goals in 73 caps for Canada. Having that amount of caps at the age of 26 is impressive in itself.
Everton target Jonathan David.
Everton target Jonathan David.
The style of his goalscoring and personality also previously earned him the nickname of ‘Iceman’ from former Canada head coach John Herdman (via The Athletic).
He is a man who clearly knows where the goal is, and ultimately Everton need a goalscorer.
Now, he hasn’t had the best of seasons with Juventus. But he’s still a player who could shine at Everton, especially after Thierry Henry praised David’s directness previously.
Looking beyond his exploits in front of goal, David has another trait that David Moyes would love – and that’s his ability to press.
In a feature by GFFN in January 2025, David was ‘one of Europe’s most prolific and effective pressing attackers with almost half of these coming in the final third showing ability to win the ball high up the pitch’.
It was also noted that he has ‘incredible mobility and work rate’.
David is also extremely durable
Something else that’s quite impressive about David is that he is very durable.
In the same feature piece, David’s injury record was branded ‘exemplary’, having only ever missed three games through injury since he joined Lille in 2020 up to that particular point.
Jonathan David injury record
Games played for club and country combined – 425
Games missed through injury – 3
This season, David has again been very available, making 37 appearances already for almost 2000 minutes.
Durability is an underrated quality in a footballer in today’s game when the schedule is so intense, so David having that availability would be most welcome – especially if Everton are playing in Europe.