Jonathan David set to remain at Lille

L’Équipe are reporting that Jonathan David (23) is set to remain at Lille OSC this season, despite being touted for a departure in recent months. 

It had been expected that David would leave Les Dogues this summer. But a move has yet to manifest itself. No bids have arrived and no club is yet to register a concrete interest. This despite the Canadian international finishing as the third-highest goal-scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 24 goals. Only Alexandre Lacazette (27) and Kylian Mbappé (29) scored more. 

Lille manager Paulo Fonseca has now told L’Équipe that he “believes” that David will remain with the club for another season. However, the Portuguese coach added that the club had to be prepared to lose the €60m-rated forward this summer. “We don’t know how [the centre-forward market] could evolve in the coming weeks,” said Fonseca. 

Whilst David is set to stay, the club are targeting four signings between now and the end of the transfer window. Another striker is expected, whilst Lille are also looking to sign a back-up goalkeeper, a midfielder and a winger. Following issues raised during his medical, Nabil Bentaleb’s arrival is still in the balance. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle