Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Open Talks for Lille Striker Jonathan David

Chelsea have reportedly initiated discussions regarding a potential transfer for Lille forward Jonathan David.

The Blues are eager to strengthen their attacking options and provide competition for Senegalese international Nicolas Jackson.

In their search for a new striker, Chelsea have recently been linked with several targets, including Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran and Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion.

The Blues are expected to submit another bid for Omorodion after their initial £33.8m offer was rejected by Diego Simeone’s side.

While still pursuing Omorodion, Chelsea are exploring other options to bolster their attack for Enzo Maresca’s first season at the helm.

Chelsea have emerged as one of several clubs interested in securing Jonathan David’s services from Lille this summer.

Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with the Canadian striker. However, it appears Chelsea are attempting to outpace their competitors.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have held discussions with David’s representatives about a potential summer transfer to Stamford Bridge.

Lille president Olivier Letang recently confirmed that David is set to leave this summer, with the striker entering the final 12 months of his contract.

Although Chelsea have yet to make an official approach, their positive relationship with Lille could facilitate negotiations if they decide to proceed.

Jonathan David has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s premier strikers since joining Lille from Gent in the summer of 2020.

The Canadian forward has scored 84 goals in 183 competitive appearances, making him the third-highest scorer in Lille’s history.

David won the Ligue 1 title with Lille in 2021 and had an impressive 2023-24 campaign, scoring 26 goals and providing nine assists in 47 matches.

In the French top flight, David netted 19 goals to finish joint-second in the scoring charts, helping Lille secure a fourth-place finish.

Despite the ongoing speculation about his future, David remains focused on representing Canada at the Copa America in the USA.

He played the full duration of Canada’s 2-0 defeat to Argentina and is expected to start in their upcoming match against Peru.

As Chelsea continue to assess their options, securing a player of David’s caliber could significantly enhance their attacking prowess and provide a boost for the upcoming season.