It’s safe to say that last weekend was a bittersweet one for Arsenal fans, who saw their side come out on top in the North London Derby just a few hours after priority transfer target Mykhailo Mudryk was presented as a Chelsea player at Stamford Bridge.
After months of negotiating, there’s no denying it’s a frustrating blow for the club, leaving them empty-handed with 15 days of the window remaining. However, that’s not to say they won’t explore other targets, with Mikel Arteta remaining keen on bolstering his Arsenal frontline this month.
The Evening Standard claims the Gunners have been offered Brighton’s Leandro Trossard, who wants to leave after falling out with manager Roberto Di Zerbi. Meanwhile, reports in Germany have also linked Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby with a move to north London.
READ MORE: Arsenal can hatch clever Leandro Trossard transfer plan to create the 'next Bukayo Saka'
Time will tell who Edu turns to next, but it will be intriguing to see if interest is reignited in Lille forward Jonathan David. It’s believed the 23-year-old is a long-term target of Arsenal’s after he was considered last January amid uncertainty surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
With 12 goals to his name in 19 league appearances so far this season, David is on track to beat his record from the previous two Ligue 1 campaigns, during which he scored 15 and 13 times respectively.
In terms of his age and versatility, the Canadian international fits the profile of player Arteta is looking for. Capable of playing in a central and wide role, David would provide sufficient cover and support across the frontline, offering blistering pace, strength and the added bonus of being comfortable with both feet.
In addition to his attacking output, David also works hard without the ball and often helps his side regain possession. This is another quality Arteta likes his forward players to have, as we've seen with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and more recently, Eddie Nketiah.
As would be the case with any other talented young player doing well for their club, especially halfway through the season, David would not come cheaply and Lille would likely demand a hefty fee. Perhaps not as much as the €100million (£88million) associated with Mudryk and the aforementioned Diaby, but enough to make a sizeable profit from the £26.5million fee they paid for him back in 2020.
Since Arsenal’s reported interest in David surfaced a year or so ago, links appear to have died down considerably, but a combination of his eagerness to play in the Premier League along with the Gunners’ need for attacking reinforcements could present a perfect opportunity for both parties this month.
During an interview with La Voic du Nord in December, David said: “In England, when I watch the matches, everything is full each time. As a player, it motivates you even more.
“I don't know, I think it's possible, very possible. I don't know if I can find myself anywhere other than the Premier League. It could well be the Premier League. It's a very nice atmosphere,” David added.
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