Arsenal are said to be in the race to sign Lille star Jonathan David, but are set to face a transfer battle from Serie A giants Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.
Football Insider have reported that there will be ‘huge clamour’ for the 24-year-old striker when the January transfer window opens, following his impressive start to the 2024/25 campaign.
The Canada international is also set to become a free agent next summer and the January transfer window will offer him the perfect opportunity to sign a pre-contract agreement with a club from overseas.
In the summer transfer window, Arsenal had been widely speculated to bring in a new striker, with the likes of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres linked with a move to the Emirates.
While no new striker was ultimately brought to N7, that has not stopped Mikel Arteta’s club from continuing to search for a new number nine as Gabriel Jesus continues to struggle with his form.
24-year-old David has already scored seven goals and contributed two assists in his 11 appearances for Lille this season. Since joining the club in 2020, in a deal reportedly worth £23.2m, the striker has scored 91 goals in 194 games and, with 29 goals. is the joint-highest scorer for his country’s senior side.
While primarily utilised as a second striker in a 4-4-2 formation, David is also highly capable of playing as an out-and-out striker and has been praised for his ability to find gaps in the defence, attacking such areas with pace.
Due to his high-speed, the Canadian star is also effective on the counterattack and is well-known for his tactical intelligence and willingness to press opposing players off the ball.
The Gunners are reportedly very keen to add Lille’s David to their attacking ranks but the interest from three of Italy’s top teams will mark a huge blow.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were also credited with an interest last summer. However, with the recent arrival of Dominic Solanke at Spurs, it is unlikely that Arsenal’s fiercest rivals will go for another striker so soon.
