Aston Villa have identified Liverpool and Arsenal target Jonathan David as a potential alternative to Luis Suarez.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report that Argentine giants River Plate are closing in on the signing of Suarez after the Uruguayan left Atletico Madrid on a free transfer.
Villa had been heavily linked with a move for the former Liverpool striker this summer, but these reports all but confirm that this deal will not happen.
However, the Midlands club are still eager to bolster their attacking options and sign a new striker in this window.
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Additional competition to Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins is deemed a priority for the Villians this summer.
Steven Gerrard has identified Canadian forward Jonathan David as a potential option, a player who has been the subject of substantial interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool in the past 12 months.
French outlet Jeunes Footeux say Lille are demanding somewhere in the region of £47.5 million for David, after he netted 19 times for Lille last season- three of which came in the Champions League.
Journalist Dean Jones says Villa are set to pursue a deal for the 22-year-old.
“We know that they looked at the Luis Suarez situation. But Jonathan David is somebody that might come onto the radar, I’m told. That profile of player might be the path that they go down. So, it’s definitely one to look out for.”
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Brooklyn born David has enjoyed two fruitful seasons in the north of France, scoring 32 goals across 92 appearances for Lille since his switch from Gent in 2020.
He earned this move from Belgium after an outstanding 2019/20 season where he managed 23 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions.
The Canada international’s astute technical security, combined with his ability to press effectively, makes him an intriguing profile to Gerrard.
Although both Ings and Watkins have proven themselves to be competent Premier League strikers, David would represent an exciting long-term upgrade for Villa fans.
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With Liverpool securing the services of Darwin Nunez and Arsenal on the verge of completing a move for Gabriel Jesus, the publicised competition for the starlet is no longer there, leaving a clear path for Gerrard to swoop in.
Whether he does or not is to be seen. But Aston Villa have already made some exciting signings this summer.
Topics: Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Aston Villa, Transfers
Alfie Culshaw