Jonathan David’s future DECIDED

Lille striker Jonathan David is hot property. Out of contract in the summer, January could be the Ligue 1 side’s last chance to cash in on the prolific striker, and that has led to growing speculation he could depart.

The 24-year-old has been linked with clubs such as Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United while Tottenham Hotspur are surprise favourites for the Canada international, according to reports in Italy.

It has been David’s devastating form in front of goal that has led to such transfer rumours. He has 17 goals and four assists in 25 appearances for Lille this season, including strikes against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus in the Champions League.

Lille, though, have no intention of allowing either David or fellow out-of-contract team-mate Angel Gomes to depart during the January transfer window as they seek to confirm their progress in the Champions League and also fight for a high ranking in Ligue 1.

Lille president Olivier Letang confirmed in an interview with L’Equipe du Soir: “There will be no sales in January. It’s out of the question that a player, an important player for the team, will leave us in the month of January.”

Letang was speaking directly about David and Gomes, who have a combined Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of over €50 million – a fortune for a club like Lille.

Angel Gomes also set to leave

While David’s future remains up in the air, Man Utd appear favourites to land Gomes, who came through their youth academy before departing to sign for Lille in the summer of 2020 as a free agent.

Given the chance of playing first-team football with the Ligue 1 club, Gomes has seen his value explode while he also earned a first England international call-up.

Lille have indicated that they would like both players to remain at the club beyond the end of their current deals, but it appears they have little chance of that.