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LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David was a real striker possibility for Manchester United this summer time till they made Joshua Zirkzee their first signing of the window.
After struggling to search out the again of the online regularly final season and with Anthony Martial leaving the membership, recruiting a brand new striker was a serious goal of the earlier window.
The Purple Devils have been capable of land their high goal after a switch tug-of-war with AC Milan and signed Zirkzee for £36.5m to supply assist for final season’s high objective scorer Rasmus Hojlund.
The Canadian ahead David has been linked to a transfer to Outdated Trafford for fairly a while with the membership having been credited with an curiosity in him way back to 2020 when he was at Belgian aspect Gent.
He has scored 29 targets in 56 video games for his nationwide group and made historical past by scoring Canada’s first ever objective within the Copa America match in a victory over Peru.
American sports activities community ESPN have reported that United “began detailed conversations with brokers in mid-June to put the groundwork on potential offers for numerous totally different targets.”
Brokers have been advised {that a} striker and centre again have been the precedence positions to switch the departing free brokers Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial.
Though different reviews have claimed RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko was the authentic best choice, ESPN insist that “Zirkzee was recognized as the highest goal to switch Martial with Ivan Toney (Brentford) and Jonathan David (Lille) additionally on the shortlist.”
“It was ultimately determined that Toney was too costly” however curiously “David, who would have price a most of £25.3m, remained a reside possibility proper up till Zirkzee was signed.”
This story is corroborated because it was relayed right here in June that United had made contact with David’s representatives over a transfer and the Lille president confirmed that the striker was out there for the precise worth.
It appears United might have missed the boat with the Canadian as he’s reportedly in talks with Lille over a brand new contract and Arsenal are additionally stated to be in “the entrance row” to signal him sooner or later.
ESPN’s feedback are attention-grabbing as while curiosity in David was reported, not many have been conscious {that a} deal for him was very a lot on if issues had fallen aside with Zirkzee.
The method is one other instance of Ineos’ switch technique of engaged on a number of offers and choices without delay. This could possibly be seen when United rapidly pivoted from Jarrad Branthwaite and signed David’s former teammate Leny Yoro in mid-July.
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