£25m striker has already admitted he could leave this summer as Newcastle target him

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A new striker target has emerged for Newcastle United, with Jonathan David linked with a move to Tyneside.

The Magpies may have to sign a forward this summer, but it will all depend on the future of Callum Wilson. The 32-year-old is now in the final year of his Toon contract, and it is reported that Wilson is likely to leave Newcastle.

If he does depart, a replacement will be required. Newcastle were previously confident that Dominic Calvert-Lewin would arrive, but that deal collapsed late last month. If the Everton number nine had joined the Magpies, that would have opened the door for Wilson to leave.

Now Newcastle’s striker situation is back to square one, as they ponder what to do. It has been suggested that the Magpies could go back in for Calvert-Lewin, but now there is an alternative.

Newcastle target Jonathan David

That is according to Give Me Sport, who report that Newcastle United are interesting in signing Jonathan David from Lille.

They state that Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen, with Premier League clubs queuing up to sign the 24-year-old attacker.

Give Me Sport also note that the Magpies are no longer considering Dominic Solanke. That is no surprise due to the fact he will be very expensive. The Bournemouth star does have a £65million release clause, but Geordie Boot Boys have been told that Newcastle are not one of the clubs that can activate it.

That would likely result in Newcastle possibly having to pay even more, which simply is not going to happen.

What Jonathan David has said about leaving Lille

Jonathan David is a more interesting target, and he is someone who appears to be open to a fresh challenge next season.

The Canada international has a podcast with fellow forward Cyle Larin called Strikers Corner, and he recently addressed his future on the July 3rd episode.

“There’s always a lot of noise. But I’m still here. I’m still at Lille,” he said.

“From there [after the Copa America], we’ll see if I end up going back to Lille for pre-season, or if I’m somewhere else, I don’t know.

“Things are obviously moving slow. I think things are going at the right pace.

“Obviously, I think everyone sees there’s a lot of clubs interested. Right now I’m still waiting for an offer to be put on the table to Lille.

“Then after, I’ll have to make a choice and make the right choice, whether it’s to leave, or to stay or what team do I pick, really.”

David’s goalscoring record will be very appealing to Newcastle

David, who could be available for £25million, is aware that there is a lot of interest in his signature, and it is easy to understand why.

The striker has spent the last four seasons in France, and has proven to be a goalscoring machine for Lille.

He has hit double figures in every Ligue 1 season that he has played in, whilst he got 26 goals in all competitions for the second season in a row during the 2023/24 campaign. As a comparison, that is one more than what Alexander Isak managed for Newcastle.

David’s numbers in front of goal will be very appealing to Newcastle, who want someone who can dovetail with Isak and relieve the pressure on the Magpies’ most expensive player ever.

It looks like David has the ability to do exactly that, while he also has history with a current Toon player.

David was part of the Lille team that won the Ligue 1 title in 2021, and he did it alongside Sven Botman. Whether that relationship can help bring David to Tyneside remains to be seen.

But he would certainly be an outstanding signing, and hopefully Newcastle can prove to David that their offer is the right one if they decide to make a move.