Arsenal is preparing to make a significant bid for Lille's forward Jonathan David, but will wait until the club's new sporting director is appointed before progressing with discussions. This appointment is expected to take place within the month of March 2025, establishing the groundwork for Arsenal's summer transfer strategy.
David, at 25 years old, is anticipated to become one of the most sought-after free agents when his contract at Lille expires at the end of the current season. His remarkable performance this season has already made him a key figure on the transfer market, as he has recorded 21 goals and nine assists.
Reports indicate West Ham United has already taken steps to secure David's signature, with the club purportedly offering a €20 million package to entice the Canadian international. Meanwhile, Barcelona is also showing interest, but their financial constraints could inhibit their chances of capturing the striker.
Arsenal’s move for David is expected to materialize following the appointment of former Atlético Madrid chief Andrea Berta as the new sporting director. Berta, who is seen as the frontrunner for this key position, has extensive experience with high-profile signings and effective squad-building strategies.
While Berta’s appointment is anticipated soon, Arsenal had initially aimed to finalize the hiring by the start of March. Sources close to the club suggest this decision is approaching its final stages, which means the new sporting director will play a pivotal role in shaping Arsenal’s approach to the summer transfer market.
Jonathan David has been consistently one of the top scorers in Ligue 1, showcasing not only his goal-scoring prowess but also his ability to adapt within different attacking roles, which makes him appealing to Arsenal, who are looking to revamp their attack.
With 21 goals alongside his nine assists, David’s contributions have been considerable and play directly to Mikel Arteta’s tactical style of play, demanding versatility from his forwards. While West Ham’s proactive offer gives them the edge for now, Arsenal’s status as a competitiFve club competing for Champions League football could become a deciding factor for David.
Other candidates have also been linked for the sporting director role at Arsenal, including Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro and former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth. This intense focus on securing the right new hires suggests how seriously Arsenal is about optimizing their football operations as they look toward summer transfers, particularly with high-value targets like David on their radar.
Despite overtures from other clubs, including Tottenham and Liverpool, David's preference seems to be leaning toward seeking new challenges, with many reports indicating he has rejected new contract offers from Lille to explore options abroad. His desire to step up to the competitive environment of the Premier League is driving his potential move.
David’s current season performance stats are impressive; he maintains 13 goals from 22 matches along with contributions on assists, equipping him with strong dual-threat capabilities. His goals per 90 minutes stands at 0.67, and his involvement metrics show he has made significant contributions throughout his games.
The player’s versatility includes solid passing statistics, with approximately 23 passes per game at a completion rate of 81.92%, indicating his ability to link play and contribute effectively to team dynamics. His technical prowess coupled with predictive movement off the ball makes him not only dangerous as a finisher but also valuable as part of team play.
Given the current uncertainty surrounding David's future, the pressure is mounting on clubs to seal the deal for his services before the summer window opens. Arsenal's Champions League eligibility may strengthen their hand, giving them the necessary appeal to David amid rising competition for his signature.
While discussions are still in early stages, the appointment of Arsenal’s new sporting director will certainly set the course for their summer strategy, with Jonathan David firmly situated as one of their key targets for the upcoming summer transfer window. We can expect the race for David to intensify as the summer transfer window approaches, but his next move remains to be seen amid mounting interest and increasing offers from rival clubs.