When West Ham United announced the departures of Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and Danny Ings last week, the feeling was that the Premier League outfit were moving on at the right time.
Coufal, Cresswell and Fabianski are all over the age of 30. Forty, in Fabianski’s case.
Seldom-seen striker Ings will be a ‘big loss’ at the London Stadium behind the scenes – captain Jarrod Bowen argues – but his impact on the pitch has been limited, to say the least, two-and-a-half years since arriving from Aston Villa.
The reaction from the Lille supporters to Jonathan David’s emotional farewell on Wednesday afternoon, however, could hardly have been more contrasting.
While the West Ham United faithful are bidding a fond but accepting farewell to Coufal, Cresswell and Fabianski, confirmation of David’s departure from the Stade Pierre Mauroy is news every Lille supporter has been dreading.
West Ham United target Jonathan David confirms Lille exit
Now, Claret and Hugh claim West Ham are willing to break their transfer record for Porto’s Samu Omorodion.
Other reported striker targets – including Mainz’s Jonathan Burkhardt, Celtic’s Daizen Maeda and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap – will also cost well in excess of £20 million.
Jonathan David, however, is the rarest of beasts. A prolific, European and Champions League-proven centre-forward who can be snapped up for absolutely nothing.
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According to the i Paper, Jonathan David’s camp are impressed by Graham Potter’s plans at the London Stadium. Well, more impressed than many of the club’s supporters, it seems.
And with David now going public with one of the worst-kept secrets on the continent, the door has suddenly swung open for West Ham to pursue perhaps summer’s most high-profile free-agent.
“Every story has a beginning and an end,” David says. “After five wonderful years at Lille, the time has come to say goodbye. I know it hasn’t always been easy, but I hope my goals and celebrations have brought you joy and happiness.
“It’s been a long and beautiful adventure, especially with the two titles won. I would like to thank all my teammates, all my coaches and all the staff members I’ve worked with.
“Thank you to the fans for their support. You have allowed me to be the player I am today.”
West Ham held ‘positive’ talks with Champions League hitman
Scorer of 109 goals in just 231 games – and having hit at least 25 in each of the last three campaigns – the New York-born Canada international is perhaps the most underrated centre-forward in European football today.
Still only 25 years of age, David also struck seven in ten Champions League encounters this term. He found the net against Dortmund, Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Real Madrid, Lille defeating both of the Spanish giants on their own turf.
While West Ham have held ‘positive’ talks with David’s representatives, per The Athletic, the striker’s desire to test himself ‘at the very highest level’ may represent a sizeable stumbling block.
Because while the Premier League is a step up from France’s Ligue 1, one suspects David may well receive offers from clubs far higher up the table with Chelsea rumoured to be interested.
“If I do end up going I think I have to push myself at the very highest level,” David said recently. “I’m never guaranteed anywhere I go to start every game. I have to perform.
“I’m willing to fight. I know it’s an important year, it’s a big decision, so I’ll make a wise decision.”