Chelsea won’t have to convince Jonathan David that the Premier League is the best in the world as they hold talks with the player’s representatives over a possible summer transfer. The player has long been linked with a move to England but now with just 12 months left on his contract at Lille, an exit appears imminent.
David has been a target for Arsenal and Chelsea for several seasons now with an impressive track record in France and Belgium before that. He has scored between 13 and 24 goals in each of the last five seasons and has become one of the most consistent goal getters around.
Manchester United and Liverpool are also said to have been offered his services this window after Lille president Olivier Letang made it public that the Canadian could depart. “Leny Yoro and Jonathan David can leave the club this summer,” he said earlier this year. “Both have the ‘exit voucher’ due to their contract situation.”
If David wasn’t to go then he would be able to negotiate a free transfer in January with clubs outside of France ahead of moving next summer. It leaves Lille open to a lowball offer for their main source of goals.
David himself doesn’t need telling twice just how good the Premier League is though. Speaking in December he said, “In England, when I watch the matches, everything is full each time. As a player, it motivates you even more.
“I don’t know, I think it’s possible, very possible. I don’t know if I can find myself anywhere other than the Premier League. It could well be the Premier League. It’s a very nice atmosphere.”
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Before even that he had also been vocal about his admiration. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar he was being linked with a move. “I am aware of nothing,” he said at the time. “When I am at the World Cup I am just focused on trying to enjoy the World Cup and enjoying the moment.
“What happens after I do not know, we will have to see. The Premier League is the best league in the world and I think every player would want to play there someday.”
David is eager to make a move away this summer though, football.london understands. The interest in him from Chelsea comes as progress with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran has cooled.
Given Arsenal are looking at other targets in the frontline currently – especially after Benjamin Sesko became a no-go and Manchester United are likewise preoccupied with other moves, Chelsea have their path clear now to make David’s dream a reality.
