Although Liverpool appear to be doing just fine in the attacking department, that won’t stop them from trying to sign one Ligue Un hot-shot this summer. CaughtOffside sources understand that Lille’s Jonathan David, who has an incredible record of 43 goal or assist contributions since the start of last season (transfermarkt), is of particular interest to Arne Slot.
Indeed, it has been advanced that Liverpool see the player as a valuable addition and are, in fact, keen on signing him within the week. The Reds are expected to offer him a long-term contract of around four to five years, with Lille asking for a transfer fee in the region of €45m-€50m.
They’re unlikely to get things all their own way, however, as it would appear that all of Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Napoli are all showing a concrete interest in landing the player. Sources indicate that the Partnopei have gone as far as to agree personal terms with the player, offering him a five-year contract with an annual salary of €3m. However, Napoli and Lille have yet to agree on the transfer fee, as the former are understood to only be offering around €35 million – significantly less than the asking price.
That could let in the Gunners who CaughtOffside sources have confirmed are indeed in the race at this moment. Clearly, the 24-year-old Canadian is much in demand, and it’s worth pointing out that his next contract is likely to be the biggest of his career so it has to be right. It will cover the period when David will be expecting to be at his peak as a player, and therefore, Lille are well within their rights to demand a fee commensurate with his experience, prowess and future career in mind.
With a week to go of the current transfer window, there’s still plenty of time to get a move concluded. Liverpool has less than a week to make any new additions to its squad before the summer transfer window closes - with Arne Slot still waiting for his first Reds signing.
A Race Against Time
Liverpool is racing against the clock to secure any new signings before the summer transfer window shuts. The Reds have yet to bolster their squad and only have until next Friday to wrap up their transfer dealings before the window shuts. Newly appointed head coach Arne Slot has been getting to grips with the Liverpool team he took over from Jurgen Klopp earlier this summer, beating Ipswich 2-0 in the Premier League last weekend.
To date, Liverpool has confirmed the departures of Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg, and Bobby Clark on permanent transfers - making the club plenty of cash. But whether Liverpool will bring in any new faces this month remains a mystery. Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi was on the radar but chose to stay with his La Liga side rather than make the switch to Anfield. It's believed Liverpool is now eyeing up Lille forward Jonathan David, who was originally linked with a move to Merseyside back in 2020 before leaving Gent for France.
Liverpool's Attacking Options
CaughtOffside reports that Liverpool has entered the race to sign David before the transfer window shuts. It's suggested that Slot is an admirer of the Canadian international, who helped his country reach the semifinals of this summer's Copa America, and hopes to bring David into his squad in the coming days. Lille is demanding a fee of around €50 million ($56 million) for David, but Liverpool will have to fend off interest from Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Napoli to secure his signature.
The Competition Heats Up
The Canadian international striker is a man in demand this summer and a report from CaughtOffside claims that the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa are keen on the player as well. The French outfit are holding out for a fee of around €45-50 million, and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get the deal done. Liverpool are prepared to offer him a long-term contract of around four to five years. David will be attracted to the idea of playing for a big club and Liverpool are certainly one of the biggest in the world. They could certainly use more quality and depth in the attacking unit and the Canadian international would be a useful acquisition. He will add goals and creativity to the side. David contributed towards 35 goals in all competitions last season. He scored 26 goals and picked up nine assists along the way.
A Perfect Addition for Liverpool?
Darwin Nunez has not been able to score goals consistently, and Liverpool need a quality alternative. The Canadian would be a superb addition. Meanwhile, Arsenal need a quality striker as well. Gabriel Jesus scored just four goals in the league last season and they cannot to win the league title with him leading the line. David could solve their goalscoring problem. Similarly, Chelsea need an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson, who has not been able to live up to the expectations. The Blues need a reliable striker if they are to push for Champions League qualification this season. The Canadian international striker will want to play for a club capable of pushing for major trophies, and the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal could provide him with that opportunity.
Is David the Right Fit for the Reds?
While Liverpool don't necessarily need to add to their sensational attacking talent, it hasn't stopped them pursuing other options. According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are interested in signing Lille forward Jonathan David. The report states that Liverpool are set to offer David a long-term contract with the Ligue 1 side wanting around €45m-€50m for the player. It also states should David's leave, his next contract would the biggest of his career to date. He plays primarily as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder; he is also capable of playing as an out–and–out striker, and is known for his goalscoring ability. The Canadian is in demand after racking up 43 goal contributions since the start of the 23/24 season so the Reds can expect a battle on their hands. Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa as well as Napoli are also set to be interested in signing the 24-year-old. The Serie A side had allegedly agreed personal terms with the player but are yet to agree a transfer fee with Lille, after reportedly offering €1o million lower than the club's asking price.
A Week of Transfer Drama
Liverpool are running out of time to complete any new signings before the summer transfer window closes. The Reds are yet to make any new additions to their squad and have until next Friday to complete their transfer business until the window reopens in the New Year. New head coach Arne Slot has been working with the Liverpool squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp earlier this summer. So far, the Reds have sanctioned the exits of Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg and Bobby Clark on permanent deals. It remains to be seen if Liverpool will make any new signings before the window closes. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi was a target before he decided to remain with the La Liga club rather than move to Anfield.
Liverpool's Transfer Targets
The ECHO has put together a round-up of the latest Liverpool transfer rumours that have been doing the rounds over the last 24 hours. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Liverpool are being linked with a move for Lille striker Jonathan David. The Reds were first credited with an interest in signing David back in 2020 before he left Gent to move to France. According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have joined the race to sign David before the transfer window closes. It has been claimed that Slot is a fan of the Canada international and wants to add David to his squad within the next few days. Lille are reportedly seeking a fee in the region of €50 million (£42 million) in order to allow David to leave the club. However, Liverpool will reportedly face competition from Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Napoli for David's signature.
A Busy Transfer Window
The summer transfer window closes in less than a week and another player has entered the Liverpool rumour mill. The Reds have made their first signing of 16-year-old Alvin Ayman while the club is also set to sign Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. After failing to secure top target Martin Zubimendi and significantly more outgoings than incomings, Liverpool will be hoping to secure more signatures to bolster Arne Slot's squad. READ MORE: Liverpool request NEW info on player they've wanted all summer; short on time but deal COULD happen In recent days the club has been linked with Adrien Rabiot and Teun Koopmeiners as well as Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
David's Strengths
Elsewhere, Liverpool reportedly still have hopes of beating Juventus to the signing of Teun Koopmeiners. Reports all summer have linked the Reds with a move for the Atalanta midfielder who helped guide the club to the Europa League trophy last season. According to TEAMtalk, the Reds are asking to be kept informed of Koopmeiners' future amid hope they could still sign the midfielder. The Netherlands international has seemingly been destined to join Juventus in a €60 million (£51 million) move. However, Koopmeiners remains an Atalanta player and it's for this reason that Liverpool reportedly remain interested in completing a deal. It has been stressed, though, that Koopmeiners has already agreed terms to join Juventus despite the apparent interest from Liverpool.
A Bold Move
Liverpool have reportedly registered their interest in Ligue 1 attacker Jonathan David as they look to bolster their attacking ranks. As claimed by Caught Offside (via TBR Football), Arne Slot has set his sights on the in-demand Lille striker. The report states that David is wanted by a host of clubs from across Europe such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Napoli. In fact, Napoli have even agreed personal terms with the Canada international but are struggling to meet Lille's asking price. It has been claimed that both Liverpool and Arsenal are now looking to take advantage of the situation and launch a move for the attacker. David has been exceptional for Lille since joining the Ligue 1 side in 2020 in a reported €30 million move from Gent.
David's Impact
The 24-year-old has scored 87 goals and provided 19 assists in 188 appearances for Lille till date. He played a key role in helping Les Dogues secure both Ligue 1 title and Trophée des Champions in 2021. David's style of play makes him a perfect attacker for most modern-day managers who like to play front-footed fluid football. He is capable of playing either as a number nine or as a second striker and can also play as a number 10. The Canada international has been a lethal goalscorer during his stint at both Gent and Lille but he is also equally comfortable in creating chances for his teammates. Capped 54 times for his country, he has scored 28 goals and produced 16 assists at international level.
Klopp's Insights
Liverpool have no shortage of quality or depth in the attacking department with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez in their ranks. However, David could be a solid long-term addition to the Reds, especially with Salah's long-term future up in the air. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has delivered his thoughts on how the Reds have fared under his successor Arne Slot so far. While Slot is still in his early days at the Merseyside club, he has made a good first impression at the club. Despite stepping into the shoes of one of the greatest managers of the modern era, Slot has looked comfortable at Anfield so far. After a solid pre-season, the Reds started their Premier League season with a brilliant 2-0 win over Ipswich Town last week. When asked about his verdict of Slot's style of play, Jurgen Klopp had nothing but praise for the Dutchman. He told ESPN Netherlands, as quoted by The Kop Times: The German added:
Slot's Early Days
Arne Slot is yet to make a single addition to the Liverpool squad he inherited from Klopp in the summer. However, the Dutchman has insisted that he is fully content with the quality of the squad at his disposal. Quick Links Your perspective matters!Start the conversation
