Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their efforts to sign in-demand Lille striker Jonathan David this summer.
It has been well-documented that Mikel Arteta‘s side should splash the cash and bolster their squad with a new centre-forward before the start of next season.
The Gunners were tipped to strengthen the attacking department in January, but they were unable to recruit any of their desired targets and are now paying the price, as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are all sidelined with injuries.
In recent months, Arsenal have been linked with a plethora of forwards from across Europe, with Newcastle United‘s Alexander Isak believed to be one of their leading targets.
RB Leipzig‘s Benjamin Sesko is another striker who has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time, but it is now understood that the Gunners have turned their attention to a cheaper alternative ahead of the summer transfer window.
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Arsenal to submit offer for David in coming weeks?
According to Sky Sports, Arsenal have joined West Ham United and other clubs in the race to sign Lille talisman David, who is out of contract in June and recently confirmed that he will leave the Ligue 1 club for free.
The report adds that the Gunners, who are waiting to formalise the arrival of their new sporting director Andrea Berta, are expected to make an offer for David in the ‘coming weeks’.
Arsenal will face stern competition from West Ham, as David is said to have been identified as Graham Potter‘s primary summer transfer target, while Manchester United have also been credited with an interest.
All three Premier League clubs seem to be behind Barcelona in the race for David’s signature, though, as the La Liga giants are weighing up the possibility of strengthening their frontline with younger players and Camp Nou is believed to be the Canadian’s dream destination.
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Why is David in demand amid Arsenal, Barcelona, West Ham interest?
David began his senior career in Belgium with Genk, where he scored 37 goals in 83 games across an 18-month period between January 2018 and August 2020.
The 25-year-old then completed a €30m transfer to Lille, where he has developed into one of Europe’s most prolific forwards, scoring a total 105 goals and registering 26 assists in 220 appearances across all competitions.
David, who won the Ligue 1 title with Lille in 2020-21, scored 26 goals in 47 games last season, including 19 strikes in 34 Ligue 1 outings, as Les Douges secured a top-four finish and qualified for the Champions League via the playoffs.
This term, David has continued his exceptional form in front of goal, netting 21 times in 37 matches, including six goals in eight Champions League games to help Lille secure a top-eight finish in the 36-team League Phase and set up a last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.
Brooklyn-born David has also excelled on international duty with Canada and is already their all-time top scorer with 31 goals in 59 appearances, while he was named Canada Soccer Men’s Player of the Year for a second time in 2024.
