Latest developments
- Manchester United are in the race to sign Lille striker Jonathan David.
- The Red Devils face stiff competition, with Juventus said to be the frontrunners.
- Liverpool and Inter Milan also interested in the Canadian.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3.5/5): Local source gives credibility
Man Utd are once again in the market for a centre forward, as Joshua Zirkzee has failed to impress since arriving from Bologna this summer and Rasmus Hojlund has been inconsistent at Old Trafford.
To increase their productivity in front of goal, the Red Devils are looking to sign Jonathan David from Lille, according to French website footmercato.net, though the same source claims Juventus are the favourites to land the 24-year-old striker, with Liverpool and Inter also providing competition.
Value (4/5): Contract winding down good news for buyers
The Canadian's days in northern France seem numbered, as he will be out of contract in the summer. David himself said, “Now, anything can happen. I am in my last year of contract, we will see what happens next year,” – not exactly the words of a player about to sign a new deal!
This is excellent news for potential buyers like United, who can either sign him as a free agent in the summer, or snap him up for a bargain price in January. Juve have tested the waters with a deal in the range of €15-20 million, well below his €45 million market value.
Suitability (4/5): United need a goalscorer
With 13 goals in 19 matches this season, including four in four in the UEFA Champions League, there is no denying that David is the kind of top-class goalscorer that Man Utd need, no matter what system Ruben Amorim brings to Old Trafford.
Upgrade? (5/5): Mr. Consistent can make the step up
Averaging just below a goal every other game across his entire Lille career, and better than a goal every other game for Canada, David provides the consistency that Hojlund, Zirkzee, and makeshift centre-forwards such as Marcus Rashford have simply not brought to United in recent times.
He may have never played in the Premier League, but his goal tally in European competitions proves he doesn't shy away from taking on elite defences.
Logic (3/5): Lack of European football can hinder United
A poor start to their UEFA Europa League campaign while languishing in the bottom half of the table suggests United will not be able to offer David European football come next season, making them a less attractive proposition compared to the other interested clubs.
However, being the clear focal-point in attack for a team that could get off to a flier under Amorim could make United very enticing to the Canadian, who should still have his best years ahead of him.
Whisper+ verdict: 19.5/25
United will need to be busy in January to save their season and give Amorim a chance of turning their fortunes around. They risk getting involved in a bidding war for David in the winter, but it makes little sense to wait until the summer.
That said, even if they have to pay something close to valuation, David would still be worth the fee, so United should stay in the hunt for the Canadian's signature.
