Jonathan David has decided to run down his contract at Lille amid interest from West Ham United and others, according to the Sunday Mirror.The newspaper reported via its Sunday print edition that the 24-year-old is set to be available on a free transfer when his deal expires in June 2025.David has been tracked by West Ham and Tottenham, while Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested in the striker, who was linked to Chelsea last summer.
Lille, meanwhile, could receive offers for the Canada international in January, with clubs potentially looking to get ahead of their competitors.
Jonathan David a sensible target for West Ham United
All three of West Ham’s strikers – Michail Antonio, Niclas Fullkrug and Danny Ings – are on the wrong side of the 30s and there is a need for the club to freshen things up front.
This is why signing David on a free transfer next summer would make sense for the Irons, although it would mean having to pay him a comparatively higher salary.
It would also be logical for Julen Lopetegui’s side to sign him for a cut-price fee in January amid increasing concerns about Fullkrug’s fitness.
He was the second-highest goalscorer in Ligue 1 last season, netting 19 times, and was only bettered by Kylian Mbappe (27).
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Sunday Mirror (20 October, pg 71)
The contract situation has not distracted the former Gent frontman as he has grabbed eight goals and two assists, including the winner in Lille’s Champions League win over Real Madrid on 2 October, in 14 games across all competitions this term.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if the Hammers can beat the likes of Tottenham and Barcelona to David’s signing if it comes to it.
In other West Ham news, Alan Shearer has been wowed by what this Irons star did in the loss to Tottenham on Saturday, 19 October.