Lille president Olivier Letang has ruled out a January departure for Jonathan David, as the French outfit battle to convince the in-demand centre-forward to sign a new contract at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
David, 24, has again been in impressive form for Lille during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 13 goals and registering two assists in 19 appearances, including four goals in four outings in the league phase of the Champions League.
Including the qualifying rounds, David has six goals and two assists in eight European matches this term, while he has found the back of the net on seven occasions in 11 Ligue 1 appearances.
David's contract with Lille is due to expire next June, though, and there is currently widespread speculation surrounding his future, with a number of the world's biggest clubs said to be interested.
Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool and Juventus are among the teams said to be keen on the striker, who has 97 goals and 20 assists in 202 appearances for Lille since arriving from Gent in August 2020.
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Lille president rules out January exit for David
Letang has insisted that Lille will not allow David to leave in January, with the club therefore running the risk of losing him on a free transfer at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
"We are not going to sell him in January and we have not received any offer for him," he told After Foot RMC.
"Jonathan's situation is super simple. We are very happy to have you with us. Last off season he had one year left on his contract. We could qualify for the Champions League. When you have a guy who scores 20-25 goals a season. We had no obligation to sell him.
"He is a player who scores between 20 and 25 goals and qualifies for the Champions League. Plus, Jonathan loves Lille which is his club. Our position was very clear from the beginning, we think of the athlete. Obviously, he already has an offer that is in his hands, the ball is in his court."
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Which club will win the race for David?
The race for David is open at this moment in time, with the striker clearly taking his time before making a decision, and it does not appear that there are any firm offers on the table at this stage.
From January, clubs will be able to approach David to discuss a pre-contract, and his goalscoring numbers will make him one of the most in-demand free agents next summer, if Lille are unsuccessful in their attempts to sign him to a new deal.
Man United are desperate to sign a striker, but the Red Devils may focus on Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres, while Juventus are believed to be targeting Man United's struggling attacker Joshua Zirkzee.
Liverpool are said to be in the race, but Barcelona appears to be David's most likely destination next year, with the Catalan giants looking to bring in a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Matt Law
