Arsenal and Liverpool have been dealt a blow as Jonathan David revealed his transfer ‘preference’ ahead of the upcoming summer window.
David has enjoyed one other impressive season at Lille, scoring 23 goals in all competitions, including nine in 14 Champions League games.
But together with his contract on the French club expiring at the tip of the season, a bunch of top European clubs are lining as much as attempt to secure his signature.
Lille have reportedly made efforts to tie the Canadian international right down to a brand new deal, but David appears prone to turn that down and as a substitute move on a free in the summertime.
Speaking in February, he told French outlet Onze Mondial: ‘Yes, I will probably be free at the tip of the season. As for my future, I hope to grow, to develop into a greater player, and to play for the largest clubs on the earth, if I can.
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‘Initially, I need to complete this season well, the tip looks exciting and I need to play well and help the team. And when the season is over, the choice will probably be made and announced.’
West Ham have consistently been linked with a move for David in the summertime, but Arsenal and Liverpool have also been credited with interest in recent times.
Nevertheless, all three clubs may not represent the popular next step for David who earmarked Spain’s La Liga because the league where he would most enjoy playing next.
‘I believe I can adapt to each league,’ the 25-year-old told the It’s Called Soccer Podcast.
‘Every league has its differences, the Premier League is quite a bit faster and physical than all the opposite leagues.
‘But for me, I grew up watching numerous La Liga and for me that will be my preferred league. That’s the league I enjoyed watching essentially the most so sooner or later I would really like to play there.
‘Will that occur? I don’t know, but I’m not against anything we’ll just see where the longer term takes us.’
Asked about his performances this season, especially in Europe where helped Lille reach the last-16 before being knocked out by Borussia Dortmund, David added: ‘I believe you can say that I’m playing one of the best football of his profession.
‘Obviously, I haven’t been playing European football every season at Lille but I believe this could be my best campaign yet. Obviously playing against some strong teams but scoring against them helps.
‘It was an incredible campaign. We had higher hopes however it’s football and it might probably go either way.’
Arsenal appear to have made signing a striker their number-one priority in the summertime, with Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko among the many names on the club’s shortlist.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are also interested by Isak as they give the impression of being to upgrade upon the inconsistent Darwin Nunez who looks prone to leave Anfield this summer.
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