Jonathan David celebrates after scoring for Lille against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Jonathan David is leaving Lille this summer. (Image: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images.)
The 2024/25 Ligue 1 season came to an end on Saturday, and for Jonathan David it marked the end of an era.
After five successful years at Lille, the Canada international made his 232nd and final appearance for the club, starting their 2-1 win over Stade Reims.
The striker's contract is up at the end of the season and he confirmed during the week that he will be leaving the club when it expires.
In an emotional video montage he shared on his Instagram page, David said: "I wanted you [the fans] to hear from me. After five years at the club, it is time to say goodbye."
David was substituted with 73 minutes on the clock and received a standing ovation from Lille's supporters, who watched him score 109 goals for the club after arriving from Belgian club Gent in 2020. He was visibly emotional as he walked off the pitch, taking his time to applaud each corner of the stadium.
Amid his contract situation, David has been linked with a plethora of big-name European clubs over the last few months, including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United.
United, of course, plan to sign a striker in this summer's transfer window and have earmarked Ipswich Town ace Liam Delap as their prime target. Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to deliver the goods this season and United's need for a new goal-getter has never been greater.
Delap will be available for £30million this summer via a release clause that has become active as a result of Ipswich being relegated straight back to the Championship. Despite their collective struggles, Delap has scored a respectable 12 goals in his first full season as a Premier League player.
Earning plenty of credit for that return, the theory is that he will surpass that tally with better players around him. However, it is feared by some that he is still not experienced enough to become the starting striker at Old Trafford.
Liam Delap has done very well for Ipswich Town this season. (Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images.)
Although David is only three years Delap's senior, the Canada international, who does not turn 26 until next January, has much more experience in his locker. He has played in the top tier of French football for five seasons, he has a very respectable goalscoring record in the Champions League and he has represented his country at a World Cup.
David has been one of the most consistent strikers in Europe since joining Lille five years ago. Of his 109 goals for the club, 25 came this season. He also registered an impressive 12 assists this term, meaning he was directly involved in 37 goals.
Of his 25 goals this season, seven came in the Champions League. He scored against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, proving he can cut it against the continent's elite.
Having done just that, David is expected to join a club that will be playing in the Champions League next season. United, despite their domestic struggles, are still in with a shot of taking a seat at European football's top table thanks to their Europa League run.
United face Tottenham Hotspur in the final on Wednesday night and a victory will see them secure qualification for next season's Champions League. That particular attraction could be game-changing when it comes to recruitment this summer.
The best players all aspire to play in Europe's leading club competition and David is no exception. Alongside his tally of seven goals in the Champions League this season, he ended 2024 with 47 direct goal contributions, with only Mohamed Salah (52), Harry Kane (50) and Kylian Mbappe (49) racking up more from Europe's top five league across all competitions.
Jonathan David was on the scoresheet for Lille against Liverpool at Anfield. (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images.)
Having rubbed shoulders with such leading figures, David is not going to be short of offers this summer. Where he will end up, however, remains to be seen.
United would be able to offer him the guarantee of a starting berth and Champions League football if they beat Spurs. However, it is a big if.
But in the event of Ruben Amorim's men coming out on top, they should at least be aspiring to present an offer to a seasoned goalscorer, who will be attainable without the need for a transfer fee.
It is rare that goalscorers of David's pedigree are on the market.