Lille striker Jonathan David will leave the Ligue 1 side this summer on a free transfer amid previous links with Manchester United in their search for a new striker
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Jonathan David #10 of Canada celebrates
Jonathan David will leave Lille this summer amid transfer links with Manchester United
(Image: Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Manchester United-linked Jonathan David has announced that he will leave Lille this summer on a free transfer.
The 25-year-old Canadian international, whose contract with Lille will expire at the end of this season, has been linked with a plethora of clubs, including United, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Since joining from Belgian club Gent in 2020, the striker has been a consistent goal scorer for Lille, netting 109 times in 231 matches across all competitions, including an impressive tally of 25 goals this season.
And David has now confirmed that he will leave the French club this summer. The forward posted an emotional video across his social media platforms to announce that he will be seeking a new challenge.
The Reds are in dire need of a consistent goal scorer this summer, having only netted 42 times in the Premier League. The Manchester Evening Newsunderstands that United have set their sights on Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as their main target to strengthen their attack this summer.
However, a deal for David would save the club millions. The Canadian's free agent status this summer means that his signing would not require a club to pay a transfer fee, freeing up funds to rebuild Ruben Amorim's struggling team.
It is currently unclear which club David is more likely to join this summer. He has, however, recently admitted that his next move must be a side playing at the very highest level, an indication that United may need to qualify for the Champions League to be considered.
"Obviously, with this summer going on, I am not sure if I am staying or going," he told Golazo America. "But if I do end up going, I have to push myself at the very highest level.
"When you play for a big club, your position [in the team] is never guaranteed and you need to fight. I am never guaranteed anywhere I go to start every game and play every game - I have to perform.
"I am willing to fight. I know it's an important year. It is a big decision. I will make a wise decision."
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