On Monday evening, Sports Centre reporter Matthew Sciannitti claimed that if Lille decide to sell Jonathan David, Liverpool could pounce.
He took to Twitter to say last night: “English sources tell TSN Sports [that] if Lille look to sell Canadian striker Jonathan David to raise funds because of the club’s financial challenges, Liverpool has David very high on the team’s list of potential strikers.
“Liverpool has long kept tabs on the Canadian’s development.”
Lille’s Canadian forward Jonathan David celebrates after Nantes scored an own goal during the French L1 football match between Lille (LOSC) and Nantes (FCN) at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, northern France, on September 25 2020. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP) (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)
The 21-year-old forward hasn’t been linked heavily with a move to Anfield before but after both Donyell Malen and Patson Daka were snapped up, Liverpool needed to move on to new targets.
Young David was instrumental in Lille winning Ligue 1 last season, beating PSG to the title as he scored 13 goals and assisted 5 times.
While most fans would rather see Liverpool go ahead and sign Mbappe, it’s simply impossible this summer and it’s going to be very challenging to do so next year as well.
Signing David from Lille would be another Michael Edwards masterclass as it gives Jurgen Klopp a young striker to develop while the club explores the possibility of signing Mbappe next summer.
LILLE, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 25: Jonathan David of Lille OSC compete for the ball during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC and FC Nantes at Stade Pierre Mauroy on September 25, 2020 in Lille, France. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
Transfermarkt values the striker at £31.5m and if Lille are in financial trouble, Liverpool could even get him at a discount.
After a season in which Roberto Firmino really battled to find the back of the net, signing a player like David who is an instinctive finisher would be a wise move.
It will be interesting to see if this story develops any more in the coming weeks but Liverpool don’t have a lot of time to ‘work’ Lille.
