Manchester United will have to pay a ‘premium’ if they want to sign Lille forward Jonathan David in the January transfer window, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The Red Devils are looking to bring in a new striker at Old Trafford in light of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, and David could become available for Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United Transfer News – Jonathan David
Lille manager Paolo Fonseca has recently admitted that they will find it tough to keep the 22-year-old at the French club next season, amid interest from some of the biggest teams on the continent, telling La Voix des Sports: “It will be difficult to keep Jonathan David at the club next season.
“There are not many strikers with his skills and numbers in Europe. He’s just 22. I think top European clubs will try to sign Jonathan David.” (via Manchester Evening News)
The £36k-per-week earner, as per Salary Sport, is contracted until 2025 according to Transfermarkt, but Fonseca may look to cash in on one with his prized assets, with reports now emerging that Premier League clubs are set to table bids.
As per Spanish sources, via CaughtOffside, Man United and Arsenal are now ready to submit concrete offers for the Canadian, with Newcastle United also said to be keen, while Chelsea’s interest was also confirmed by CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.
Indeed, Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg has indicated that Lille could be willing to let the forward leave for around £45m in the January transfer window.
What has Dean Jones said about Jonathan David?
In an interview with GIVEMESPORT, Jones praised David’s ability, but warned that he will not come cheap if Man United want to sign him in the upcoming window: “I think Jonathan David is a really intriguing one, this is a player who’s got big ambition, he’s got great quality and his club are resigned to losing him in 2023, we’ve basically seen them admitting that.
“He’s got a few years left on his contract which means he’s not going to cheap, and because it’s United and everybody knows what they’re looking for right now, there’s going to be a premium on any valuation of him.”
Would Jonathan David be a good signing for Manchester United?
Man United have already missed out on one of their targets at striker, with Cody Gakpo recently signing for Liverpool, so it is important that Ten Hag doesn’t again miss out on another young forward to Premier League rivals, especially given his various qualities.
Last season, the 37-time Canada international weighed in with 15 Ligue 1 goals, as per Transfermarkt, a decent record, but he looks set to smash that figure this term, having already netted nine league goals in 16 appearances, while he has also started to develop another aspect of his game.
Indeed, Transfermarkt, also detail that the speedster has helped himself to four assists in the 2022/23 season, more than he managed in the whole of the previous two seasons combined, displaying that he is still improving, and he has time on his side to do so even further, given that he is just 22.
While the Red Devils will have been disappointed to be beaten to the signing of Gakpo, David, who has been hailed as a ‘predator in the box‘ by football writer Austin Ditlhobolo, could be the next best thing.
Source: givemesport.com
