Lille striker Jonathan David is not currently a “main target” for Manchester United as the Premier League giants ar weighing other options in the hunt for a new number nine.
This is according to Ben Jacobs; writes the CBS Sport reporter on Twitter as the Ligue 1 marshal faces another bout of continued speculation.
New York-born Canadian international Jonathan David returned to form in 2022/23. He scored 26 times in 40 games. More than he had during Lille’s title campaign 12 months earlier.
But while David “would love to move to the Premier League” – to quote Jacobs – Manchester United seem to be looking elsewhere; Rasmus Hojlund, Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos instead turn out to be Erik ten Hag’s preferred alternatives to Harry Kane.
Manchester United unlikely to sign Jonathan David from Lille
“Lille plans to sell Jonathan David this summer,” Jacobs wrote on Twitter. “They are looking for around 60 million euros.”
“David would like to move to the Premier League. Chelsea and Manchester United have other priority targets at the moment, although they have relied on David in the past. The same goes for Arsenal.
With a fee of £51million, David is significantly more affordable than Hojlund, Ramos and Kolo Muani. All of this could cost United upwards of £70million.
Exactly why Ten Hag and Co. apparently steered clear of the 23-year-old remains unclear.
Perhaps a bit of an old-school poacher, David lacks the soft skills necessary to truly succeed as a number nine in the Ten Hag system.
While Ramos and Kolo Muani had double-digit assists last season, David only managed four.
A terrible World Cup – David was utterly disappointed when plucky Canada were knocked out in the group stage – didn’t do his reputation much good either.
Jacobs believes that while United, Chelsea and Arsenal have looked elsewhere for now, another Premier League side cannot be ruled out.
“PSG and Napoli follow David. If Osimhen were sold, the latter would like it very much. And keep an eye on West Ham,” he added.
“After the CONCACAF Nations League Final, David will seriously consider his options.”:
