Newcastle United given green light to make deadline day move for 104-goal striker.
Newcastle United have a long-standing interest in Lille forward Jonathan David – and the player has been made available this window.
The door has been left ajar for Newcastle United to make a late January move for striker target Jonathan David.
The Canadian international frontman is out of contract in the summer, and subject to strong interest from the Magpies. As previously reported, Newcastle are said to be confident they can land the player when his deal comes to an end.
And while Newcastle are not expected to be in the market this month, it’s understood the Ligue 1 outfit are open to doing January business for the player, now they’ve secured a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League – especially as they’re accepting they’ll lose David for nothing come June.
What does remain in doubt, however, is whether Newcastle have the capacity to exploit the situation?
The Magpies have boosted the coffers with the sale of Miguel Almiron this window, who left for Atlanta United in a deal worth £10million. But despite stimulating some PSR headroom, the club strategy so far has very much been to remain firm on their intention not to buy in the winter window.
The hope is that some short term pain, will lead to long term gain, and essentially allow United to spend more freely in a summer window where more of their targets will be available.
Lille open to David exit
David is on Newcastle’s radar, but it remains to be seen whether a cut-price transfer could alter thinking in the United boardroom.
And after David’s helped Lille finish in the top eight of the Champions League before the knock-out phase, that extra revenue has opened the door to the French outfit letting the player go now, rather than the summer.
David, who turned 25 last month, has a remarkable goals record in Ligue 1. During his four years at Lille, he’s netted 104 goals in only 204 games, that includes 21 in 33 this season. David broke through at Gent, where he enjoyed a similarly prolific spell, scoring 35 in just 58 starts.
