Manchester United are in the mix for Lille striker Jonathan David and have opened talks with the player’s entourage amid interest from Barcelona and Arsenal, according to reports.
As per Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are keen on securing the pacy forward’s services but are “threatened” by United and the Gunners.
However, their evidence is incredibly vague, merely noting that “in England, there is talk that Barca are threatened by Arsenal and Manchester United, who are reportedly interested.”
The Spanish newspaper says that the Catalan giants are closely monitoring the player to “see if he is the ideal replacement for Lewandowski in the near future”, and explain that he is higher than fellow United target Viktor Gyokeres on the club’s list.
A more convincing claim is made by CaughtOffside, who write that “Arsenal and Manchester United have been among the clubs to hold talks with the entourage of Lille striker Jonathan David.”
What’s more, they add that the player is “eyeing up” a move to the Premier League, citing sources close to the situation as saying the player has “decided to seek a new challenge” and is “particularly keen on a move to England”.
David is a particularly attractive option given that his contract expires in the summer, meaning that unless a further agreement is struck between him and Lille he will be available for free.
He has been in fine form this season, scoring 17 goals in 23 games in all competitions so far.
If he carries on at this rate he is set to eclipse his impressive stats from last season, when he bagged 26 in 47.
David operates as a centre-forward and would provide immediate competition to Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee for the role at Old Trafford.
Both players have shown glimpses of goalscoring prowess, but are young and currently unable to find consistent form.
David on a free transfer would be a marvellous piece of business from INEOS, although a reunion between Gyokeres and head coach Ruben Amorim, who managed the prolific Swede at Sporting Lisbon, is a rumour which refuses to go away.
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
