5 potential summer destinations for €65M-rated CanMNT star Jonathan David
Jonathan David has been in fine form for Lille OSC in Ligue 1 this season.
The Canadian striker has 20 goals and four assists to his name for the 2022-23 Ligue 1 season, putting him in contention with PSG star Kylian Mbappe as the top scorer in France. As a result, speculation is rife regarding David's future, with Lille OSC said to be demanding €65m for the striker.
Understand price tag to sign Jonathan David this summer will be around €65m as Lille expect top clubs to move for the Canadian striker. 🔴✨ #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 16, 2023
2️⃣0️⃣ David scored again today — it’s 20 goals in #Ligue1 now, top scorer of the league tied with Kylian Mbappé. pic.twitter.com/3mfXKxGIAR
So, with several top teams across Europe's major leagues believed to be interested in signing David this summer, which club might be the best fit for the 22-year-old attacker?
Here are a few options to consider:
FC Bayern Munich
The German giants are reportedly in the market for a new striker, with the departure of Robert Lewandowski last summer still leaving the club in need of a reliable goal-scorer.
Although Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has netted 17 goals this season, the Cameroonian is now 34 years old, and his contract expires next summer, meaning David could be an excellent fit for Bayern – particularly under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, who showed interest in the Canadian striker during his time at Chelsea in 2020.
There is, of course, another Canadian to consider here, too. Linking up with his long-time Canada teammate Alphonso Davies at Bayern could be another important facet here. No doubt John Herdman would appreciate the week-in, week-out chemistry the two could build at Bayern together. Still, Davies is being linked with his own exit to the likes of Real Madrid amid ongoing renewal talks at Bayern, so perhaps a few more pieces need to fall into place before David takes the plunge, first.
Atlético de Madrid
Los Colchoneros are another club that has been linked with David for some time, with manager Diego Simeone said to be in search of a new striker this summer as João Félix is expected to make his move to Chelsea permanent, and Álvaro Morata remains out of favour. This could open the door for David, though he would face a challenge in La Liga due to the defensive style of play, which could limit his chances in front of goal, whereas Cyle Larin, for instance, has the physicality to be able to open up space himself.
Still, Atlético – set up in either a 4-4-2 or 3-4-1-2 – could unlock another side to David's game; with Simeone opting to keep a tight defence and secure a clean sheet rather than scoring in buckets, David's clinical poacher's finishing up top could be a key tenant to their approach. Playing alongside Antoine Griezmann or Memphis Depay, two of the more creative attackers not only in La Liga but in all of Europe, David's cool composure in front of goal could be just what Atléti need.
A.C. Milan
Sure, the Premier League may come calling, but moving from France to Italy could be a smart next stepping stone for David before he makes an even bigger move in the future.
To that end, the Rossoneri have reportedly shown interest in David, with manager Stefano Pioli looking for a striker of a similar profile to the Canadian, and for good reason – Olivier Giroud, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Divock Origi are currently the club's strikers, but Ibrahimovic, 41, and Origi are expected to leave this summer, leaving an opening up top.
At Milan, David would not only be the star man, he could continue to grow and score goals in a league where tactically-astute defensive approaches remains at the forefront, honing a sharpness to his play that the run-and-gun Premier League might not be able to offer him.
Chelsea F.C.
Still, there's no denying that top players want to play under the brightest lights, and the allure of a Premier League switch is certainly something David will be weighing come the summer.
Luckily, in Chelsea, David could approach a team in desperate need of a striker, having struggled this season as they undergo a top-to-bottom rebuild at the club.
The team has lacked a natural striker, with Kai Havertz, João Félix, and Raheem Sterling all underwhelming in the role, and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang struggling to turn back the clock, falling out of favour since November and now expected to leave the club this summer. David would be an excellent addition to Chelsea, who already have several talented players around him in support.
But... Chelsea have already spent several hundreds of millions on new transfers, so unless they're all-in on David, perhaps the price might be too pretty for London's Blues.
Manchester United F.C.
The Red Devils are another club that could benefit from David's talents, as they look to secure a UEFA Champions League spot next season. Under new manager Erik ten Hag, the team has already won the Carabao Cup and made the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. However, the club's striker position is also uncertain, and David could be a valuable addition to the team.
United's no. 1 priority this summer is to sign a striker. David in an Erik ten Hag system would benefit dramatically as ten Hag plays full-flowing attacking football. Not only that but having one of the most creative midfielders in the world in Bruno Fernandes, one of the most in-form players in the world in Marcus Rashford, and a quality winger in Antony would see David having not only the system in which to thrive, but the quality around him to match it.
Still, David may not wish to join a club in turmoil, as ownership weighs up a potential sale and an air of discontent continues to swirl around Old Trafford. It would be a gutsy move, but United need a hero – does David have the appetite to step in and take a shot at that kind of glory... even at the risk of failure?
