Newcastle United continue to be heavily linked with a move for Lille striker Jonathan David in 2025.
Signing a new striker is not Newcastle United’s priority in 2025 but sometimes opportunities are too good to pass on.
That is certainly the case with Jonathan David, who is in the final year of his contract at Lille and set to become a free agent in the summer.
Newcastle have shown an interest in signing David, but the 24-year-old is bound to have a huge stack of contract offers on his table after continuing his impressive form this season.
Newcastle officials have already opened talks with David in hopes that it will help them get a deal over the line, but David is demanding a £100,000 per week salary.
Lille president comments on Jonathan David’s future
Earlier this week, David discussed a potential January exit and explained that it is “never easy” to join a new club midway through the season.
The Canadian forward will be available for free in the summer but clubs may try to jump the queue by offering a fee for him in January.
Lille’s president Olivier Letang has now commented on David’s future and emphatically ruled out a sale in January.
Speaking on the After Foot show, Letang said: “Jonathan David will not leave in January. And he already has an extension offer in his hands so the ball is in his court.”
Newcastle could sign Jonathan David in the summer
The news that David will not be leaving Lille in January is actually a boost for Newcastle and their chances of signing him.
Newcastle won’t have much money to spend in January which means they couldn’t have realistically competed in a bidding war for David – nor would they really want to.
READ MORE: Jonathan David enjoys ‘magical’ Champions League night after Newcastle United transfer talks
If David rejects Lille’s contract offer and moves as a free agent in the summer, that is a much more realistic signing for Newcastle to make.
Callum Wilson could leave Newcastle in 2025 which would leave Eddie Howe short of striker options. Wilson’s exit would also free up wages for Newcastle to offer to David.
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