Michael Olise reportedly favored Bayern Munich over Chelsea, prompting the Blues to pursue Lille attacker Jonathan David for a summer transfer. David has become Enzo Maresca’s primary target as he seeks to enhance Chelsea’s offensive lineup early in his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Olise Chooses Bayern Munich
Despite interest from Bayern Munich and Newcastle United, Chelsea appeared to be leading the race for Olise. However, Olise opted for a move to the Bundesliga champions, who reportedly agreed to a £50 million deal with Crystal Palace. This transfer is anticipated to be confirmed on July 1st, aligning with the opening of the European transfer window.
Focus Shifts to Jonathan David
In the wake of Olise’s decision, Chelsea quickly turned their attention to Jonathan David. As reported by The Athletic, Chelsea has commenced discussions with the 24-year-old’s representatives regarding a potential transfer. David ranks high on Chelsea’s list of attacking prospects and is considered a viable option, especially with just one year remaining on his contract with Lille.
Availability and Value
Lille president Olivier Letang has confirmed David’s availability this summer, citing his contract situation as a critical factor.
This makes David a particularly attractive target, offering substantial value. Chelsea’s relationship with Letang, strengthened by their BlueCo consortium’s ownership of Strasbourg, could smooth the path for this deal.
David’s Performance
David is an established Canadian international with 48 caps and 26 goals since his debut in September 2018. He played a full match in Canada’s 2-0 loss to Argentina in the Copa America opener.
Since joining Lille from Belgian side Gent in 2020 for a club-record £27 million, David has scored 84 goals in 183 appearances. He was crucial to Lille’s 2020/21 Ligue 1 title victory and netted 19 goals last season, helping Lille secure a Champions League berth by finishing fourth in the league.
Interest from Manchester United
Manchester United is also keen on David as they look for new competition for Rasmus Hojlund following Anthony Martial’s departure. The Red Devils, dealing with early frustrations in INEOS’s first transfer window and facing Financial Fair Play (FFP) pressures, see David as a significant target.
Missing out on David could be a major setback for United, especially as they are likely to miss out on Jarrad Branthwaite and were also vying for Olise.
Conclusion
Acquiring Jonathan David could provide Chelsea with the necessary attacking reinforcement after losing out on Olise. His availability and potential value make him an appealing option for the Blues as they aim to strengthen their squad under Maresca’s leadership.
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