West Ham United face £20million transfer battle for Jonathan David in new development
Canada striker Jonathan David is the subject of a four-way Premier League transfer race which includes West Ham, according to the Guardian.
The newspaper reported on their website (25 June) that the Irons, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea are all keeping tabs on the Lille forward, who has entered the last 12 months of his contract.
A fee of roughly £20million has been mooted with all four aforementioned Premier League clubs making enquiries, and it seems certain that the Canadian will be playing elsewhere next season.
84 goals in 183 Ligue 1 matches suggests that the Hammers are in for an elite striker, but as the only side of the four not playing in Europe next season, bringing David to East London could be a long shot.
West Ham can make statement with Jonathan David transfer
The Hammers have made no secret of their desire to sign a new striker this summer, with a whole host of names linked, pursued, and so far unsuccessfully courted for moves to the London Stadium [O Jogo, 8 June].
David is the latest cab off the rank in this regard, with new head coach Julen Lopetegui looking for alternatives to the aging Danny Ings and an out-of-contract Michail Antonio [Daily Mail, 18 June].
A reunion between Lopetegui and his former Sevilla number nine Youssef En-Nesyri appeared to be the closest to fruition, but the progress of that transfer has slowed in recent weeks [Vamos Mi Sevilla, 28 May].
Beating three top-level Premier League sides, all of whom finished above the Irons in the European qualification places last season, would show that Lopetegui and his side mean business next season.
The Spaniard isn’t holding back in his quest to build the strongest West Ham side possible ahead of his debut season, and that maiden campaign could be one that takes everyone by surprise if a striker as prolific as David is leading the line.
In other West Ham news, Arsenal have shared their stance on Eddie Nketiah this summer amid interest from the Hammers.
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