Barcelona contact Arsenal, Liverpool strike target as asking price revealed

Barcelona have made contact with the representatives of Arsenal and Everton target Jonathan David, according to reports.

Canadian striker David is one of the brightest attacking prospects at present, having fired in 23 goals in 40 games for Gent in the Belgian Pro League this season.

The 20-year-old’s record of 11 goals in 12 international caps also paints him in a good light, meaning several of Europe’s biggest clubs are hovering as he looks for the next step.

Several Premier League clubs are among those on alert, with Arsenal having watched him as they brace themselves for the potential departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

And David did little to slow down the rumours this week when he admitted he would like to play in the Premier League.

“I want to become one of the best strikers in the world. That’s my goal,” he told The Guardian. “The Premier League is the best in the world and most competitive so obviously that is somewhere I would love to play in the future.”

However, the Daily Star reveal that it won’t be straight-forward for the Gunners, as Barcelona are already in touch with David’s entourage.

The move would no doubt appeal to the New York-born striker, who admired former Barca star Ronaldinho when he was growing up.

 

On the flipside, though, he did admit in his Guardian interview that he did not just want to move somewhere to sit on the bench, wanting a guarantee of regular action to continue his development.

The Star‘s report adds that Gent are prepared to sell David this summer, but they are holding out for a price of at least £22m.

David had previously been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool, while the latter’s Merseyside rivals Everton are also suggested as an interested party.