Arsenal transfer blow as Gent striker Jonathan David says he wants to join French club Lille this summer
ARSENAL have been dealt a bitter blow after Gent striker Jonathan David revealed he wants to join Lille instead. The in-demand Canadian forward, 20, has been targeted by Mikel Arteta to replace wantaway Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer. But David has revealed he wants to join Lille, not Arsenal this summer – with the French giants […]
ARSENAL have been dealt a bitter blow after Gent striker Jonathan David revealed he wants to join Lille instead.
The in-demand Canadian forward, 20, has been targeted by Mikel Arteta to replace wantaway Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer.
But David has revealed he wants to join Lille, not Arsenal this summer – with the French giants submitting a £23.5million bid.
Speaking to L’Equipe, David said: “Yes, I want to come to Lille.
“I have had a very good season. For me, my next step, is Ligue 1.
“And the footballing project at Lille is fantastic. They are a very good team in France.
“The Lille project interests me.
“I already speak French. That will help during my adaptation period.
“And Lille is very close to Gent geographically. So I will be able to concentrate on the pitch.”
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However, Arsenal COULD still have a chance, with Gent standing firm on the £28million asking price.
David continued: “Talks are difficult. The club says they want to keep me or sell me for a price I don’t think is realistic when you take into account the Covid-19 situation.
“That is making negotiations complicated.
“In any case, I made it clear that I want to go to Lille.
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“They said to me that they would not block me.
“At the start, things were going quicker. Now, everything has slowed, as if they are waiting for a better offer.
“I don’t know where that is supposed to come from.”