Juventus are reportedly eyeing a new No. 9 to strengthen their squad next summer, and they’re among the clubs interested in LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David and Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen. However, they will have to contend with other teams for the standout forward.
David’s contract with Lille runs until June 2025, which makes him an attractive target since any interested club would only need to negotiate his wages without the burden of a transfer fee.
Since joining Lille in 2020, David has scored 87 goals in 190 appearances across all competitions. Rumors indicate that Arsenal, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United are all in the mix for the Canadian striker.
Pundits weigh in on Juventus’ need for a No. 9
Italian journalist Paolo Paganini notes that Dušan Vlahović isn’t the striker for Juventus and states that the Turin-based club could be looking at Osimhen, who is currently on loan to Galatasaray and is linked to Chelsea.
“Juve lacks a striker who matches the caliber of the top teams,” Paganini said (h/t JuventusNews24). "Two names are being considered to replace Vlahovic: David, whose contract runs out in 2025 but is a non-EU player, and Osimhen.
"While there’s a release clause for Osimhen, the connection between his agent and Giuntoli is quite strong. Because of this, keep an eye out—there could be a surprising return this summer.”
Meanwhile, expert Niccolò Ceccarini states that pursuing David could become complicated with Arsenal in the mix and the possibility of a bidding war starting.
"Competition is heating up for David, with Arsenal showing interest as well," Ceccarini (h/t JuventusNews24). "While the English club hasn't made any strong moves yet, they could take action soon. Arsenal has openly appreciated Vlahovic since before his transfer to Juventus. So, it looks like there might be an auction for David."
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