Jonathan David has emerged as a potential signing for Manchester United, who need to add a striker to compete with Rasmus Hojlund.
Lille striker Jonathan David is one of Manchester United’s striker options, with a potential swoop on the agenda this summer.
HITC report United have held talks with intermediaries over a move for David, while iNews reports incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth is ‘a fan’ of the striker.
Here is a look at three reasons why Jonathan David could be the perfect solution this summer…
Long-term interest
Manchester United have held long-term interest in Jonathan David, who is 24. This dates back to his time at Gent.
Back in 2020, United were considering David, The Mail reported, however, this was a time when the club preferred to take short-term fixes with experienced strikers.
Interest has remained. In 2022, CBS Sports reported David was one of Erik ten Hag’s first transfer targets. By this point, he was playing for Lille. United did not a sign a striker that summer.
Now in 2024, David remains on United’s shortlist, with good reason. By now the club will be well aware of his strengths, and areas to improve, and if he was not a serious target, he would have been discarded a while ago. There is something there to like, which keeps United’s attention.
Proven goalscorer
The clear area Jonathan David delivers is by scoring goals, doing the main task a striker is required to do.
At 24, there is still scope for David to improve, especially playing in a better team, with better players around him.
What about the pressure of Manchester United? You could argue David is used to being the leading man, where he is the main striker for his country.
He has 26 goals in 49 games for Canada, where he is just three off becoming the country’s record goalscorer.
As for club level, David has a strong record. Last season he scored 26 goals and provided nine assists.
He has 84 goals in 183 games for Lille in total, after hitting 37 goals for Gent to begin his career.
Availability and price
The key aspect for Manchester United is that Jonathan David is both available and affordable this summer.
He has only one year remaining on his contract, and Lille’s president has admitted he will be allowed to leave.
A potential fee could be in the £25-30 million range, more reasonable than other strikers linked to Manchester United this summer.
Combine this with a solid goalscoring record and long-term interest, and Manchester United moving for the Canadian stacks up as very intriguing.