Arsenal linked with a £20m move for 24-year-old Ligue 1 star in January: Reports

Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Lille striker Jonathan David as his contract with the Ligue 1 club will expire next summer. The Gunners are still poised to sign a center forward, having failed to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer. They have now identified the Canadian striker as a suitable option.

Johnathan David is currently one of the most lethal forwards in Ligue 1. The 24-year-old ended the 2023-24 campaign with the joint-second-highest goals (19). He was level with Alexander Lacazette and six goals behind now-Real Madrid man Kylian Mbappe.

According to TBR Football, Arsenal could make a move for Jonathan David in January. They have identified him as a key target and are actively keen on bolstering their attack. The north London club made five incomings in the summer transfer window, but none of those signings included a striker.

Gabriel Jesus has not been consistent enough, registering just 19 goals and 15 assists in 73 games for the club. Hence, a move for the Canada international would be a good move given his age and the numbers he has put out since joining the Ligue 1 club.

However, the Gunners could have difficulty signing the player as he is also attracting interest from other European heavyweights like Inter Milan and Juventus. He is likely to cost around £20 million in January.

Jonathan David joined Lille from KAA Gent in 2020 for a reported fee of €27 million. In his four years at Les Dogues, he has scored 88 goals and provided 20 assists in 193 outings across competitions.

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Takehiro Tomiyasu is open to leaving Arsenal – Reports

According to reports, Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is considering leaving amid a lack of playing time. The Japan international has seen his playing time at the Emirates drastically reduced following the arrival of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Tomiyasu has been on the sidelines since July, having suffered a knee injury and is yet to feature in any match for the Gunners this season. Prior to Calafiori’s arrival, he was an important player when fit, providing versatility across the backline.

According to Calcio Mercato, Tomiyasu is prepared to part ways with Arsenal. Amidst this saga, multiple Serie A clubs, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Napoli are all interested in the player. Adding salt to injury, the Arsenal board has given the green light for his departure, setting his valuation at around €20 million. Juventus are said to be leading the race among the clubs interested in obtaining his signature.

Tomiyasu moved to the Emirates from Bologna in 2021 for a reported fee of €18.6 million. He has scored two goals and provided six assists for the club in 83 outings across competitions.