West Ham United are strongly considering a move for highly sought-after Lille striker Jonathan David.
That’s according to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg, who claims the Hammers are ‘seriously interested’ in the Canadian international this summer.
David is poised to leave Lille this summer as he enters the final year of his contract, and a move to the Premier League has been mooted as his preference.
According to a report by Give Me Sport, Jonathan David is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers want to sign a striker in the 2025 summer transfer window, with Jhon Duran their top target. However, the East London club will also have options beyond the Aston Villa attacker, with LOSC Lille star Jonathan David emerging as an alternative.
The rise and rise of Jonathan David
Jonathan David has been one of the best players in Ligue 1 since joining LOSC Lille from KAA Gent in August 2020. Such has been the player’s impact at Stade Pierre Mauroy that Les Dogues’ fortunes have been synonymous with his form.
The 24-year-old has been in fine form since the start of the 2023/24 season and has been exceptional thus far this term. David has contributed to 12 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign by finding the back of the net ten times and providing two assists.
In addition, David has been prolific for Canada, scoring 29 goals in his 56 outings thus far for the North American nation. However, David will leave LOSC Lille as a free agent in the 2025 summer transfer window. The situation has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, especially from the Premier League. West Ham United will be among his prospective suitors.
London calling?
Jonathan David has been on West Ham United’s radar for a long time, and the East London club mulled over securing his services in the summer transfer window before the move failed to see the light of day. The continued interest in the LOSC Lille striker is understandable, considering Michail Antonio and Danny Ings might depart from the London Stadium next year.
In addition, Niclas Fullkrug has struggled thus far at West Ham, with a calf injury hampering his progress. So, West Ham should invest in a top-class striker next summer, with David emerging as a viable target. However, the Lille attacker is an alternative to the East London club’s top target, Jhon Duran.
Ademola Lookman is another option on West Ham’s wishlist if the Hammers fail to land Duran. Meanwhile, they will face stiff competition from other European bigwigs for David, and signing the 24-year-old Canadian international might be a tall order.
Manchester United and Chelsea have been alerted to his availability and are considering a move for the Canadian, but West Ham are also in the race.
Plettenberg reports that the Hammers have gathered information on David. The striker is valued at around £21 million and is already attracting plenty of interest.
A striker is firmly at the top of West Ham’s wishlist, and several names have been touted as possible options.
David is the latest to be linked with a move to the London Stadium. However, with United and Chelsea also in the race for David, it would be difficult for the Hammers to pull off a deal for the Canadian striker.
David would be a bargain for West Ham, but highly unlikely
David has been a consistent performer for Lille since joining the club from Belgian side KAA Gent.
He has recorded 84 goals and 18 assists in 183 games, including 35 goal contributions in 47 games last season to help the club secure a place in the Champions League qualifiers.
In addition to being a prolific forward, David is also versatile and can slot in as a left winger when required, which adds to his undeniable appeal.
Signing a player of such calibre would be a coup for us, but a lack of European football could throw a massive wrench in our plans to lure him to the London Stadium.
However, his determination to play in the Premier League could work in our favour, although we’ll need to be proactive if we want to beat United and Chelsea in the race to sign him.