Jonathan David is poised to leave Lille on a free transfer in the summer and has plenty of interested suitors, having netted 23 times this season for the French club
Jonathan David has suggested that he wants to play at the “very highest level” ahead of a summer transfer window where he will be in high demand. David is out of contract with Lille at the end of the season and is widely expected to move on, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, West Ham and Barcelona among those interested in acquiring his services.
The Canada international has scored 107 goals in 224 games across all competitions for Lille, including 23 this season. The 25-year-old has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and now looks ready to make a step up.
Lille have helped develop the careers of Eden Hazard, Victor Osimhen, Rafael Leao, Gabriel Magalhaes, Mike Maignan, Leny Yoro and Dimitri Payet in the past and David wants to follow in their footsteps and challenge himself at a new club.
“Obviously, with this summer going on, I am not sure if I am staying or going. But if I do end up going, I have to push myself at the very highest level,” he told Golazo America after scoring and providing an assist for Canada in a 2-1 win over the United States on Sunday.
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“When you play for a big club, your position [in the team] is never guaranteed and you need to fight. I am never guaranteed anywhere I go to start every game and play every game, I have to perform. I am willing to fight. I know it’s an important year. It is a big decision. I will make a wise decision.”
It is not the first time David has addressed speculation over his future recently – and the striker’s media push could reflect a player trying to court suitors. “To be honest, I think I can adapt to every league,” he told Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher on the It’s Called Soccer! Podcast. “Every league has their differences. I think the Premier League is a lot faster and more physical than all the other leagues.
“I grew up watching a lot of La Liga. I wouldn’t say that would be my preferred league, but it’s a league I enjoyed watching more so [than others]. One day, I would like to play there. But will that happen? I don’t know. I’m not opposed to anything. We’ll see where the future takes us.”
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David believes his experiences will help him push on wherever he ends up. He added: “I’ve had difficult moments, especially my first season and even my first two seasons at Lille. I think I had a dry spell, but now I’m scoring so much. But for me in those situations, it’s about putting your focus on the work, so doing extra after training and always working hard, and knowing something will happen.
“Knowing I’ve put the work in gives me more confidence on the pitch, knowing that I did what I could, so I have no regrets. Normally, I’m more of a reserved, shy guy, but moving to different countries makes you evolve as a person and makes you come out of your shell. You have to get involved.
“As a player, everywhere you go you have to adapt because the culture is different, the playstyle is different, the players are different and there are different expectations of you.”
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