Jonathan David of LOSC Lille has been linked with a move to FC Barcelona for some time now, considering that he is set to become a free agent in the summer.
The Canadian international’s services have been offered to the Blaugrana while the player himself has publicly declared his desire to join the La Liga behemoths.
David ready to move on
However, according to SPORT, with no decisive move from Barcelona, David is now exploring other options and is ready to give up on a potential transfer to Catalonia in the summer.
Indeed, his entourage has begun exploring other options, with Inter Milan emerging as a strong contender. Meetings have been held with the Serie A giants to discuss financial and sporting terms, though no deal has been finalised.
Barcelona have monitored David since last season, with scouts regularly tracking his performances at Lille. However, there is a lack of consensus within both the club’s sporting department and coaching staff.
While he is viewed as a player with potential, concerns persist about his dependence on open spaces to perform at his best – leading to doubts about his fit in Barça’s system.
Additionally, his wage demands have not helped. David is seeking a net annual salary of around €8 million, a figure that is problematic for Barcelona, but Premier League clubs are more willing to meet.
No shortage of interest
While Barcelona do recognise David as a market opportunity, he is not among their top priorities. The centre-forward position is not an urgent concern, with Robert Lewandowski’s extension in place until 2026 and Ferran Torres performing well.
As per the report, West Ham United are currently the most advanced in talks to sign David as a free agent in the summer.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan are trying to capitalise on the uncertainty at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich – another club that had shown interest.
The Serie A club have tabled an offer worth around €5 million net per year, along with a signing bonus and performance-related incentives.
As such, David looks set to continue his career away from Barcelona, with the Premier League and Serie A leading the race for his signature.
