Newcastle United have reportedly been keeping tabs on Lille striker Jonathan David, but could face competition from table toppers Arsenal for the Canadian international’s signature.
According to a report by ChronicleLive, Canadian striker Jonathan David is the subject of interest from cash-rich Premier League side Newcastle United. The Magpies have been monitoring his progress and the current situation at French club LOSC Lille and could pursue the Arsenal target in the upcoming transfer window.
One of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe, David has been a revelation since joining LOSC Lille from Belgian giants Gent in a deal worth €27 million in the summer transfer window of 2020. To date, he has racked up over 100 competitive appearances for Les Dogues’ so far, scoring 41 goals and making eight assists along the way.
The 22-year-old attacker was one of Lille’s star performers during their Ligue 1 title-winning 2020–21 season, bagging 13 goals in 37 league appearances. He took that consistency into the following season, boasting a tally of 15 goals scored from 38 Ligue 1 outings to cap off another prolific campaign in a Big Five European League under his belt.
The Canadian has also started this season in red-hot form, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 13 French top-flight games. Needless to say, his consistent eye-catching displays have not gone unnoticed, with the striker linked with a move away from LOSC Lille in recent weeks.
He has long been touted with a switch to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea all recently knocking on the French club’s doors to enquire about the versatile forward. It appears mega-rich Newcastle United have also joined his growing list of admirers and could well launch their pursuit to secure the 22-year-old’s services under the noses of the big boys.
Newcastle’s new owners will be keen to make a statement signing to push Newcastle’s top-four push, and a new attacker would certainly bring even more excitement on Tyneside.
Of course, current centre-forward Callum Wilson is one of the better strikers in the Premier League, and is in strong form, with six goals to his name so far this season, while club-record summer signing Alexander Isak has also done well in his limited minutes prior to the injury.
But, as the saying goes, more options will be merrier and will prove handy to consolidate themselves in the top four spots this season and in the long run, given they are still some way off matching the quality of those above them.
Signing David would also allow manager Eddie Howe to switch to the multi-striker systems that he used at Bournemouth. Further, with veteran Chris Wood looking out of place this season, and expected to depart in the coming transfer windows, there should be an open slot for the Canadian in Newcastle’s striker department.
It will be interesting to see whether Newcastle will show the ruthlessness in the upcoming market or play smart yet again.
