Arsenal scout cut-price Lille striker at Copa America | OneFootball

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a cut-price deal for Lille striker Jonathan David, with scouts observing the Canadian international at the Copa America.

The Gunners previously showed interest in David back in 2020 when he was playing for Gent with a €20m price tag. Interestingly, roughly the same fee could be enough to secure his services from Lille now, as he enters the final year of his contract.

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JUNE 25: Jonathan David of Canada celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 between Peru and Canada at Children’s Mercy Park on June 25, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

David’s career has been on an upward trajectory since his move to Europe in 2018. After making his professional debut for Gent in Belgium, he quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer, attracting attention from top clubs across the continent.

In 2020, he made a high-profile move to Lille for a reported €30 million, becoming the most expensive Canadian transfer to date.

In his first season at Lille, David played a crucial role in the club’s surprise Ligue 1 title win, showcasing his goal-scoring ability and adaptability to a competitive league. His performances have continued to impress, with his ability to find the back of the net consistently attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Ham.

Canada’s forward #20 Jonathan David controls the ball during the International friendly football match between France and Canada at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, on June 9, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal’s interest in David is seen as a potential replacement for Eddie Nketiah, who has been linked with a move away from the Emirates. With less than 12 months left on his contract, Lille are reportedly open to cashing in on David, and a £20 million fee could be enough to secure his services. This represents a bargain for a player of David’s calibre, given his age, experience, and goal-scoring record. In total, he has 121 goals for Lille and Gent, with 33 assists, in 266 games.

Mikel Arteta is keen on strengthening his attacking options, and David’s profile might fit the bill. His pace, movement, and clinical finishing could add a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack, providing much-needed firepower.

However, Arsenal face competition from other Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United, who are also monitoring David’s situation. The Gunners will need to act swiftly and decisively if they are to secure the Canadian striker’s signature.

While a move to Arsenal seems plausible given the circumstances, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners can fend off competition from other suitors and convince Lille to part ways with their prized asset or if David is even a serious target to begin with.

How are Canada doing at Cop America?

Canada’s participation in the 2024 Copa America marks their debut in this tournament. Led by new head coach Jesse Marsch, who took charge just weeks before the competition, Canada faced a challenging group stage with matches against Argentina, Peru, and Chile.

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JUNE 25: Jonathan David of Canada celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 between Peru and Canada at Children’s Mercy Park on June 25, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Their squad for the tournament features a mix of experienced players and new faces. Key players included Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich, Jonathan David from Lille, and Stephen Eustáquio from FC Porto. Notably, Milan Borjan, Steven Vitoria, and Mark-Anthony Kaye, who were part of the 2022 World Cup squad, were left out of the final squad.

In their opening match, Canada faced a tough 2-0 defeat against Argentina, with goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. Despite the loss, Canada enjoyed several notable moments, including a significant save by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and promising chances from Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.

This was followed up by a 1-0 win over Peru, with David scoring the only goal of the game in the 74th minute. A 0-0 draw with Chile was enough to see Canada progress from the group to the knockouts where they will face the winner of Group B on July 5th (likely to be Venezuela who play the group’s bottom side, Jamaica, on Sunday).