Newly-promoted Leeds United are in talks with Belgian side Gent over a move for forward Jonathan David.
That is according to Gent’s president Ivan De Witte.
In an interview with Belgian paper De Zontag, De Witte was speaking about a bid from French side Lille for the Canadian international.
He said: “The contacts stopped this week but other clubs are still interested with better proposals, including Leeds.”
“But I once again explained to Jonathan we want him to play for us.”
Lille had a £23 million offer rejected, according to the Daily Mail.
The paper says that Gent want around £27 million for a player that has also been watched by Liverpool and Manchester United.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men will need to try hard to get their man, however, as the player is said to favour a move to Ligue 1.
The French sides president Gerard Lopez told L’Equipe (via Sport Witness): “The player absolutely wants to play for LOSC. He doesn’t want to go to another club.”
Essentially, it seems like the player would like to go to France, but his club would rather sell him to Leeds.
However, if Lille do not fork out the £27 million asking price then they will not get him, leaving the door open for the Yorkshire side.
North America’s next top prospect
David was one of two young Canadian players to break out in Europe last season.
While Alphonso Davies grabbed all the headlines, David was equally impressive in Belgium.
His 34 games in the league and Europa League saw him bag 21 goals.
This is impressive enough as it is, but even more so when one considers the fact that he is only 20-years-old.
David is a very versatile player. He has played at centre-forward, number 10 and central-midfield.
However, with a goal record like that, he will probably settle as a striker in future.
The Belgian league is admittedly quite weak, but the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Wilfred Ndidi have shown that great players can be found there.
If Leeds could get their man, it will no doubt be a shrewd move.
They will certainly to add some names to the squad that got them back into the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
Their top scorer last season was Patrick Bamford, but he only scored 16 goals.
They will certainly need more firepower in the Premier League. A young striker with the potential of Jonathan David is definitely a great place to start.
He should bring goals straight away, and for the foreseeable future.
Especially under the management of Marcelo Bielsa, Jonathan David could be one to watch.
