Aston Villa are reportedly in pole position to sign Canadian striker Jonathan David, with the €35 million-rated star set to depart Lille.
According to Tutto Mercato Web, Aston Villa could make their case to sign Jonathan David in the summer. Unai Emery’s side are reportedly in the lead for the Canadian striker, although several Premier League and Italian sides are also chasing the €35 million-rated forward.
Aston Villa are leading the Jonathan David chase?
In every transfer window, at least half a dozen reports link Jonathan David to numerous clubs, particularly the top ones. The Lille star has been a consistent goalscorer for the Ligue 1 side, even helping them win the league title many years ago. In the next window, the Canadian might finally get his move owing to his contractual situation.
Having seen links to a host of top Premier League sides, there are doubts either will come into the picture to sign the Canadian this time. Strangely, none need a striker of his profile, although Manchester United are reportedly interested, with the club looking for an additional centre-forward to complement Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United’s interest in David goes a long way back, although now, Aston Villa seems to have taken pole position in the race for the €35 million-rated Canadian. Unai Emery wants a new forward to join Ollie Watkins in the attack and might see the Lille star fit the bill.
He might also be cost-effective, considering how goalscorers tend to cost a small fortune these days. Villa are eager to convince the €35 million-rated to join them, but only time will tell whether or not they are facing the threat of bigger clubs than them in the race for the striker.
Lille to sell David in the summer
For many years, Lille have held firm on their massive valuation of the Canadian, which may have been another reason why David has not left the club. As mentioned before, not many big teams have seen him as the game-changer they need in the final third, although most have appreciated his goalscoring prowess and consistency.
David will enter the final year of his deal, and going by the claim in the report about the €35 million asking price, Lille might be effectively selling him for half of their previous valuation. With the striker unlikely to sign a new deal there, the French side will have no choice but to sell him in the summer.
