Lille president Olivier Létang has recently confirmed that Jonathan David, his team’s star striker, will not be moved on in January despite being in the final year of his contract.
The 24-year-old Canada international has continued delivering the goods this season and currently sits on 13 goals and two assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.
David has been a target of not only Tottenham but also their North London rivals Arsenal in recent months. They are just two of a handful of sides monitoring David and will be looking to contact him in January over a free move in the summer.
Despite the decent performances record signing Dominic Solanke has delivered in his first few months, Spurs do come into January with a few forward issues. Timo Werner is almost certainly not going on continue at the club. Dejan Kulusevski remains linked with a move away due to his consistence, Richarlison is either struggling with injuries or failing to deliver on his potential, while Son—in the final year of his contract—is also attracting interest from outside of England.
Simply put, Tottenham need a forward or two, and they could do a lot worse than putting all their effort into a free summer move for David‚ a two-footed operator who has for years now consistently delivered numbers up the pitch for Lille, someone who can not only play as a figurehead striker but also occupy a support role, which means it is not completely out of the question for him to play along with Solanke if the move were to happen. He has, in the past, also occupied roles on either flank.
When it comes to Son, Spurs are likely to do everything in their power to keep him for a while longer, given he’s a modern great and the current club captain. A substantial offer in January could change their mind, but as things stand they’re likelier to continue with the intent of extending the South Korean’s contract.
When it comes to Richarlison, however, the decision-making process the club ought to employ becomes simpler. Now 27, the Brazil international has failed to delivered on the promised he showed in his early years at Watford. On his day, he does play well, but that has so far been the ceiling. One does sympathise with the challenges he has faced and wishes the best for him, but Spurs as an organisation in a results-driven business need to include reality in their decision-making as well, and on that front they would be better off moving Richarlison as soon as they can—exactly how it was in the summer as well when he chose to stick around amid Saudi interest.
Jonathan David is a consistent operator. On a free transfer, he would immediately improve Spurs, who could make room for him not only in the squad but also in their finances by focusing their efforts into moving Richarlison on to a club that could help him revitalise his career.
