Jonathan David has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and Arsenal and Liverpool are believed to be among the clubs interested in the Lille striker
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Jonathan David celebrating a goal
Lille ace Jonathan David has sent Arsenal and Liverpool a transfer message
(Image: Getty Images)
Jonathan David has played down rumours of a move to the Premier League, despite reported interest from a number of clubs. The 25-year-old Lille striker's contract expires in the summer and he has attracted attention from several of Europe's big guns after netting over 20 goals for three consecutive seasons.
David was on Liverpool's shortlist back in the summer of 2020, only for the Reds to eventually plump for Diogo Jota. He continues to be linked with a move to Anfield, thanks to his impressive haul of goals and his current contract situation.
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The Canada international appeared on the It's Called Soccer! podcast with Gary Neville and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher this week, where he discussed his future and his admiration for one league, in particular.
"I grew up watching a lot of La Liga," he told the podcast, which is sponsored by Sky Bet. "I wouldn't say that would be my preferred league, but it's a league I enjoyed watching more so [than others]. One day, I would like to play there. But will that happen? I don't know. I'm not opposed to anything. We'll see where the future takes us."
Lille have put a two-year extension on the table for the Canadian international, but as talks continue without a resolution, it seems less likely he will stay. This puts the French outfit at risk of losing their leading scorer for nothing in just a few months, making David one of the most attractive potential deals of the summer.
David scored at Anfield in January as Liverpool beat Lille 2-1 in the Champions League, league phase. While David is attracting plenty of interest from Europe's big hitters, whether the Reds decide to pursue the forward is likely to hinge on departures, with Mo Salah's tenure still very much up in the air.
Arne Slot and his backroom staff are also said to be in be upping the search for more goals come the summer as they struggle to get Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota firing in front of goal, with the trio's future also reportedly in the balance at the club.
Jonathan David on the It's Called Soccer! podcast alongside Rebecca Lowe, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher
Jonathan David appeared on the It's Called Soccer! podcast alongside Rebecca Lowe, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher
Arsenal, who have also been linked with a move for David and are in need of a new striker, could see the star as a more economical option compared to other targets such as Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Benjamin Sesko, who are all expected to command fees around or above £100million, reports the Mirror.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham have also been associated with the player, but they're not considered to be leading the race for his signature at this point, despite David's agent attending West Ham's match against Newcastle at the London Stadium last week.
Lille have been instrumental in producing or nurturing some of Europe's finest football talents in recent years, including Eden Hazard, Victor Osimhen, Rafael Leao, Gabriel Magalhaes, Mike Maignan, Leny Yoro and Dimitri Payet.
David joined Lille from Belgian side Gent in 2020 and quickly made a name for himself as one of French football's top scorers. He netted 28 league goals in his first two seasons before scoring a career-best 24 in 2022/23.
Last season, he managed 26 in all competitions, and he needs just four more this season to surpass that total. Lille currently sit sixth in Ligue 1, but are only three points away from an automatic Champions League qualification spot.
Jonathan David of Lille
Jonathan David could be ready for his next move(Image: Getty Images)
Earlier this month, they were knocked out of Europe by Dortmund in the round of 16, matching their best-ever performance in the competition.
David's goals have played a colossal role, with the Brooklyn born star making his mark by, not only scoring against Liverpool, but making a mark against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Dortmund. In the Ligue 1, he's banged in 14 goals – a tally only surpassed by Marseille's Mason Greenwood and PSG's Ousmane Dembele.
David felt confident about his current form and, when quizzed on whether he's in the prime of his footballing life, said: "I think you could say that. This might be my best campaign yet. It's been a great campaign."