Jonathan David is a potential free replacement for Darwin Nunez at Liverpool after years of being monitored during Jurgen Klopp's reign.
The Reds have been linked with a move for the Lille frontman as early as 2021 during Klopp's nine-year tenure. And David will be one of the hottest properties on the market this summer as he nears the end of his contract in France.
Nunez, 25, is two and a half years into his time on Merseyside but is still failing to hit the sweet spot as many had hoped. The Uruguayan has scored just four goals in 23 appearances in all competitions this season, with just two of those coming in the Premier League.
Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz have been replaced by Arne Slot as Liverpool's central striker in recent months. But confidence in signing Nunez for £85million is starting to run out among many fans, leading to talk of a renewed push to recruit David.
The Canadian international tops the Ligue 1 scoring charts with 11 goals so far this season, with 17 and five assists in all competitions. Juventus have also been heavily linked with the attacker for months, with a departure from Lille in the summer seeming almost inevitable.
The player, who has taken on an increasingly advanced role over the years, has shown composure this season with a string of big goals. David has scored against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid (twice) and Juventus in the Champions League this season.
Mundo Deportivo reported in 2022 that David – who turns 25 this month – was wanted by Klopp in a potential £40m deal. The Brooklyn-born star has only increased his value since then, although the opportunity to sign him on a free transfer could be too good to pass up.
Slot has credit in the bank to adapt his squad this summer after a slow first transfer period at Anfield. He added Federico Chiesa to his ranks in a budget £10m deal, while £25m goalkeeper Girorgi Mamardashvili will not arrive from Valencia until the end of the season.
Former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch called David 'the most intelligent footballer' he has coached after taking over the Canadian national team last year. And it is that kind of humor on the field that could appeal to Slot in the coming months.
“I have often advertised him as the most intelligent football player I have ever coached,” Marsch told reporters in November. “His ability to put things into practice, his ability to read the game, what's needed. He's really smart.”
A difference in intelligence could perhaps be one of the criticisms you could level against Nunez, who often shows excellent athleticism but lacks the necessary power in the final third. Having scored a goal in almost every other game during his five seasons at Lille, David cannot be accused of the same shortcomings.
There will likely be a long line of suitors lining up for the chance to sign David on a free agent when he becomes a free agent in July. And Slot could pick up where Klopp left off in any possible attempt to upgrade Nunez.
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