Canada boss Jesse Marsch has given West Ham a sudden boost and fresh hope in their longstanding pursuit of striker Jonathan David.
The Hammers have been linked with soon-to-be free agent Jonathan David all the way back to 2021.
West Ham are said to have turned down the chance to sign David for just £20m under David Moyes.
Lille have been trying to persuade the West Ham target to sign a new contract for some time.
But the man himself confirmed at the weekend he will be leaving on a free transfer when his contract expires next month.
David and the Goliaths looked set to crush West Ham hopes
Given West Ham must sell to buy players due to PSR, David’s availability on a “free” is very appealing.
However, that is also the case for a host of other top clubs across Europe.
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Especially after David scored another 30 goals and laid on seven assists for club and country this season.
West Ham’s pursuit of David has become something of a saga.
Speculation has been incessant for the best part of a year now and just last month it was claimed West Ham are leading the race for David of the English clubs interested.
Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images
After a dismal season where the Hammers can finish no higher than 14th when the curtain closes this weekend and with no European football to offer, signing David has looked unlikely if not impossible.
The likes of Inter Milan, Barcelona and a host of other clubs have been linked with the versatile forward too.
But now Jesse Marsch has given West Ham new David hope as his priority is revealed and talks are confirmed.
When Graham Potter arrived at West Ham in January he reportedly made one plea to majority owner David Sullivan.
Potter asked Sullivan to bring David and fellow free agent Angel Gomes to West Ham, pledging it would help transform the club.
Marsch gives West Ham new David hope as priority revealed
The striker is still understood to be Potter’s prime forward target this summer.
But after such a dreadful campaign, Hammers fans have resigned themselves to missing out.
There is a famous quote from a scene in The Godfather: Part III when Michael Corleone says: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”
With West Ham in general – but particularly transfers – it is often the hope that gets you.
And the Hammers have certainly been given new hope by David’s national team boss Marsch.
Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images
Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images
West Ham’s major double David boost
In a new report from The Athletic, West Ham are listed among several clubs still vying for David.
Not only does the report states that several of the Hammers’ rival bidders have been put off by the expense of the overall package.
But David’s priority is something only West Ham can offer, with Marsch insisting he will go to a club where he is a guaranteed starter week in, week out.
“Knowing Johnny, he is going to want to play (every week wherever he goes),” Marsch told reporters on Monday afternoon during the Concacaf Gold Cup’s media day.
“The most important thing for him is, it’s not good if he goes somewhere and then he has to play on the bench a lot and not get minutes to keep himself sharp and fit and ready to go, especially with the World Cup being a year away.”
The report does state West Ham’s lack of David’s desired Champions League football makes them a trickier sell.
But it goes on to confirm David’s representatives held talks with West Ham’s hierarchy earlier this year and that the striker appreciates the club’s interest dates all the way back to January 2021.
It is also stated West Ham’s owners do want to back Potter’s vision to rebuild the team.
“There will be plenty for David to consider over the coming months as a string of clubs look to persuade him that they are the best destination for him,” the report concludes.
Just when West Ham thought they were out, they pull them right back in.