Tottenham receive a boost in the pursuit of Jonathan David after the Lille president’s latest interview
Tottenham Hotspur have surprised almost everyone by signing winger Wilson Odobert from Burnley out of nowhere. The French winger becomes the club’s second signing in a week after the acquisition of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth.
Despite adding Solanke to the striker department, the Lilywhites are keen to secure the services of LOSC Lille star Jonathan David. The Canada international enjoyed a highly productive 2023/24 season netting 26 goals across all competitions for the French outfit. This outstanding form has predictably sparked interest from several clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea.
After spending four fruitful years in France, the 24-year-old is keen on a switch to the Premier League, and with his contract expiring in the summer of 2025 (Transfermarkt), Lille are prepared to accept a cut-price offer of £25 million. And now Lille president Olivier Letang has opened the door for Spurs to swoop in, claiming “everything is possible”.
“I’m not going to make promises today that I can’t keep, but it’s true that the further we go, the more likely it is to keep him (David) with us,” Letang told on RMC Sport (h/t Ouest France).
“I said last week that he could leave if, and only if, we were able to replace him. The closer we get to the end of the transfer window, the more complicated it is to find a high-quality striker like Jonathan. We have the ability to keep him, because we are not under pressure from an economic point of view.
“We are very happy to have him. He is very happy to be with us, very happy to be at the club, with what he is experiencing. I would say that anything is possible.”
-> Read More: Tottenham Hotspur in 2024/25: Ten bold predictions for the season ahead
Spurs are very much interested in David after his exploits in Ligue 1 but they will need to work extremely hard to bring him to north London, especially since the striker is still open to staying at Lille and seeing out the final year of his contract. Speaking about the Canadian international, here is what Arsenal legend Thierry Henry had to say
“When you have a player like Jonathan David, who runs the way he does, in behind. His directness. Don’t ask him to come to play or assist because he has none this season. If he sees the centre-back dropping, then he will go in behind. But as soon as he sees there is a gap, he will run and he is also pretty strong too and he loves contacts.”
The Canadian has scored 85 goals in 185 appearances across all competitions for Les Dogues, and that kind of goalscoring record is difficult for the Lilywhites to ignore combined with his availability on a cut-price deal, even after roping in Solanke.
David is a centre-forward by trade, but due to his pace, off-the-ball work rate and quick feet, he has been used out wide as well at Lille. He is more dynamic playing off the striker as it allows him to exploit spaces behind defenders with his smart movement. The ability to operate in multiple roles across the front line is a testament to his versatility, although the 24-year-old is at his best when operating centrally.
In Ange Postecoglou’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system, David—if signed—could form a dynamic pair up top with Solanke. A box striker, Solanke should act as a target-man between the two with David playing off the Englishman. The Lille star would also be a strong option to challenge Solanke for a spot in Postecoglou’s first XI, as the recruit from Bournemouth appears to be a certain starter for Spurs after arriving for a hefty fee.
-> Read More: Tottenham Hotspur confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
It remains to be seen how this turns out; albeit, on paper, it does not make any sense for Spurs to land David. If Spurs are truly interested, we must not wait for the striker to run down his contract and potentially become a free agent as there will be a host of clubs vying for his signature next summer. That said, we must test Lille’s resolve with a cheeky bid for the Canadian hitman.
