Chelsea hold talks with Lille striker Jonathan David over possible transfer… after the club’s president gives prolific goalscorer his BLESSING to leave
- Chelsea are in talks with Lille’s high-scoring marksman Jonathan David
- The striker scored everywhere he played and has long been admired
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Chelsea are in talks with the representatives of Lille striker Jonathan David with a view to buying him this summer.
Only Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette have scored more goals in Ligue 1 than the 24-year-old over the past two seasons.
Lille president Olivier Letang has said David can leave and that the Canadian international only has one year left on his contract.
He is also being considered by other clubs such as Manchester United and Tottenham.
The Blues are yet to make a bid but are said to have a solid working relationship with Letang as Chelsea’s owners, BlueCo, also own Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.
Chelsesa is reportedly talking to Lille striker Jonathan David about a possible transfer
The Blues are yet to submit a bid for the striker, who scored 26 goals for Lille last season
Chelsea have long been linked with David – even in 2022 there were reports of their intrigue – while Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton were reportedly eyeing him as early as 2020.
All of that can be explained by the striker’s scintillating performances wherever he has been.
The Brookyln-born star started his professional career with Gent in Belgium and scored 37 goals in 83 appearances to earn his move to France.
David has developed at Lille over the past four years and played a key role in their 2020-2021 title-winning campaign under Christophe Galtier.
His time in Lille has seen him score 84 goals in 183 games, including 26 in each of the last two seasons, making him their third all-time top scorer.
The 2021/22 season brought him Champions League experience, with the forward scoring three goals in eight games and appearing in both of the last 16 games against Chelsea.
Chelsea know Lille president Olivier Letang because their owners own Strasbourg
Last season he played in every league match and scored 19 goals in Ligue 1, a total less than that of Kylian Mbappé.
On the international stage, David is no less destructive. He has scored 26 goals in 49 games for Canada and tops the list for them in the Copa America this summer.