Arsenal are reportedly finally planning to try and make a signing in the striker department – but only once a deal to appoint Andrea Berta as the club's new sporting director is sealed.
The Premier League side are advancing in talks to hire the Italian after deciding on him as the permanent successor to Edu Gaspar, who left the club in November. Berta, 53, spent 12 years at Atletico Madrid, first taking the role as technical director before he was appointed sporting director in 2017.
He opted to leave the La Liga giants in January and was earmarked as a top target for Arsenal, who've had Jason Ayto filling the role on an interim basis following the Brazilian's departure last year. While a deal is not yet done, that hasn't stopped reports that the north London side are already plotting moves in the transfer market.
A striker has long been thought of as the missing piece to Mikel Arteta's squad in their quest for a Premier League title. And off the back of season-ending injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, bringing in a No. 9 this summer is of the utmost importance for the Gunners to return to legitimate title contention.
Lille striker Jonathan David – who is out of contract in the summer – is on Arsenal's radar, and the club will reportedly wait until confirming Berta's arrival before making an official offer to the Canada international, according to Sky Sports. Their report states that London rivals West Ham have made the 25-year-old a key target too and are already weighing up a proposal worth £16million (€20m).
That fee is said to cover agent commission, salary and bonuses, given David is set to be a free agent come the end of the 2024/25 season. Both Arsenal and West Ham are free to speak with the player now about a pre-contract, due to him playing in a league abroad.
The Gunners haven't formalised their interest with a proposal of their own just yet as they wait to sort Berta's expected appointment, but it is said an offer to David is anticipated in the coming weeks.
Having been at the Ligue 1 club since 2020, the striker teased his summer departure when discussing his future and aspirations.
"Yes, I will be free at the end of the season," he said when speaking to Onze Mondial. "And as for my future, I hope to grow, to become a better player, and to play for the biggest clubs in the world, if I can. But first of all, I just want to have fun, never forget that football is fun. I started playing football because I had fun.
"And even though it has now become my job, you have to remember that I wake up every morning for football, for the pleasure of playing. Do you want any clues about my future? You will all know, in due time, that is at the end of the season. I will not comment before then.
"First of all, I want to finish this season well, the end looks exciting and I want to play well and help the team. And when the season is over, the decision will be made and announced."
David has scored 105 goals in 220 games for the French outfit and has won the Ligue 1 title and the Trophée des Champions during his time at the club.
Charlesugwu
1
Fake news. Only Dortmund knows how to sign players without making any noise about it