Who will Jonathan David be playing for next season?

Where will Jonathan David decide to move to?

Born two weeks into the new century, Jonathan David has already had a brilliant career so far. Two-time Canadian player of the year (2019 & 2024), a Ligue 1 title, 144 goals for Lille and Gent, and 31 goals in 60 appearances for Canada, becoming his nation's all-time top goalscorer last year are just some of the accomplishments he has achieved by 25.

The forward is now coming to the end of his fifth season in Northern France, David has hit double-figure goalscoring tallies in the French top flight every single season. Combining his ability with a non-existent injury record, David has been tipped for a big move for the last few years with a long list of clubs circling. His performances in the Champions League have led to the striker gaining even more attention after picking up seven goals and two assists in 10 appearances in the competition. Now that the Canadian is just a season or two from reaching his peak, this summer seems the perfect time for him to say adieu to Ligue 1 with David himself confirming this, but where will he go?

🇨🇦💫 Jonathan David's stats so far this season: 35 games, 21 goals, 7 assists.

Contract expires next summer, could be great opportunity for some clubs. 📈pic.twitter.com/PpPxyYwhWI

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) March 11, 2024

Barcelona?

In a recent interview with the Its Called Soccer podcast, David said: “I grew up watching a lot of La Liga and for me, that would be my preferred league.” Luckily for Barcelona, they are the only club in the league with a legitimate interest in the player as Atletico Madrid rumours have died down over the last few months. The Blaugrana are considering their long-term Robert Lewandowski replacement with David one of the front men to slot into a forward line with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

Finances aren’t an issue either as David’s contract runs out this summer, meaning that money will only have to be spent on wages. The forward would have a season supporting the legendary Polish striker before eventually becoming the starting centre forward.

Premier League?

Manchester United, Liverpool, West Ham United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have all expressed interest in bringing David to England. The Premier League wants another star striker to come and take the league by storm in a similar way that Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland have done in recent years.

West Ham have been interested in the striker for years, always seeming to receive links with him. David would not face competition in East London and would become the club’s star forward alongside Jarrod Bowen. However, with a lack of involvement in European competition, it would be hard to convince him. Newcastle would also be a long shot unless Isak were to leave the club. David would not be prepared to simply move to Tyneside just to take over Callum Wilson’s role as a backup striker, but if the Toon’s star Swede is to move then David could take over the reins.

🚨 West Ham head coach Graham Potter has set his sights on overcoming competition from the likes of Barcelona to sign Jonathan David as a free agent.

(Source: @GiveMeSport) pic.twitter.com/0YPY254qX3

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 27, 2025

Manchester United are looking for a striker to join the club and hit the ground running, and Spurs will want someone to give Dominic Solanke competition, but like West Ham both clubs run the risk of missing out on European football next season. Arsenal will certainly be in the striker market this summer and the Champions League when the season begins, so the Gunners could be the best move for David in terms of the Premier League. The final option, Liverpool, will be coming off the back of a Premier League-winning season and with Mohamed Salah currently the only player bringing an abundance of goals, the Canadian could make the No.9 spot his own.

🚨🚨| Jonathan David's representatives are in concrete talks with three clubs:

- Manchester United
- Arsenal
- Tottenham Hotspur

[@le10sport] pic.twitter.com/dY1s1fLwLm

— centredevils. (@centredevils) March 22, 2025

Elsewhere?

The chances of David playing his football elsewhere are slim, PSG have shown interest but a move inside Ligue 1 is unrealistic with the player looking to expand his horizons. Borussia Dortmund, the club David scored against but was eventually knocked out by in the Champions League a couple weeks ago have been reported as the German club interested in the player along with Juventus and Inter Milan from Serie A. The Italian pair have been planning moves for the striker since last summer, with Juventus potentially needing a Dusan Vlahovic replacement. A plethora of other clubs were interested in David in 2024 also, including Roma, Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa. Reports of any of these clubs maintaining an interest have died down though.

Who will win the battle?

David’s services will become available for free this summer, meaning that whoever signs him will be receiving an absolute coup. Despite almost an entire league's worth of teams gunning for the 25-year-old's signature, realistically only a few stand the chance. A move to the Premier League could be on the cards one day, however with regular Champions League football, a chance to learn from Lewandowski before taking over his role, and an expressed desire to play in the league, Barcelona is the most likely destination for the player if negotiations run smoothly.