Lille striker Jonathan David's transfer preference has supposedly been revealed as the Canada international prepares for his inevitable exit from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Following a couple of years of intense speculation over his future, David recently confirmed that he will be leaving the 2020-21 Ligue 1 champions at the end of his contract this summer.
The 25-year-old's departure will bring an end to a glittering five-year stint with Les Dogues, whom he won the French top-flight title with in his first season and has continued to find the back of the net at an impressive rate.
David now boasts 105 goals and 27 assists in 221 matches for Lille in all competitions, including an eye-catching 21 efforts and 10 assists from 38 matches during the 2024-25 campaign.
The Canadian attacker has never scored fewer than 13 goals in a single Ligue 1 season, and he is expected to be at the heart of a multi-team transfer tussle when the current term draws to a close.
David 'eyeing Premier League move' amid Man United, Arsenal talk
© Imago
Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in David, as have Barcelona, who could soon be on the lookout for a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.
However, La Blaugrana may end up disappointed in their efforts to lure David away from the riches of the Premier League, as CaughtOffside claims that the former Genk striker currently favours a transfer to England.
The report states that David has intentions of playing for a top-level Premier League team, hence his decision to turn down approaches from West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion in the past.
The 25-year-old apparently has no plans to make a final decision on his future until the end of the season, though, as Lille are in a brilliant position to potentially reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Les Dogues drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund away from home in the first leg of their last-16 showdown last week, where David provided the assist for Hakon Arnar Haraldsson's equaliser after Karim Adeyemi's opener.
Which Premier League team would suit David the most?
© Imago
A separate report recently suggested that Arsenal had stepped up their interest in signing David at the end of the campaign, but if the Gunners really were serious about signing him, they surely would have made a move for a cut-price deal in January when they desperately needed a striker.
Mikel Arteta's men are expected to spend big on a new number nine this summer, and given the Arsenal manager's preference to play with just the one striker, David is unlikely to be guaranteed weekly Premier League starts at the Emirates.
The same would be true at all of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, unless the Magpies unexpectedly accept an offer for Alexander Isak, who will not be allowed to leave St James' Park for anything less than £120m.
However, the door should swing open for David to make an impact at Man United, as neither Joshua Zirkzee nor Rasmus Hojlund are cutting the mustard up front, and the Red Devils will likely jump at the chance to sign a player of his calibre on a free transfer given their financial situation.
Ruben Amorim's side are highly unlikely to qualify for Europe next season without winning the Europa League, though, and a lack of continental football would work against them at the negotiating table, so David's situation will be a fascinating one to watch in the coming weeks.
Ben Knapton
