Canadian international Jonathan David has addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his future. The Lille striker confirmed he has not reached any agreements with either Napoli or Juventus, but he remains open to the possibility of a transfer to Serie A. David expressed a desire to finalize his next move promptly, ideally before the start of pre-season training.
Both Napoli and Juventus are widely reported to be among the clubs most interested in signing the forward. While previous reports, such as one in Corriere dello Sport in May, suggested Napoli had secured a personal agreement and Juventus had submitted an offer, David explicitly denied the existence of any such deals with either Italian club.
David on Napoli and Juventus
Discussing Napoli, David told The Athletic: “It is a club that just won Serie A. And I’m guessing they don’t just want to win Serie A one year and say, ‘OK, we won, that’s it.’ Obviously, it’s a club that’s ambitious, that’s going to play in the Champions League.”
When asked if he might face more pressure playing for Juventus compared to Napoli, David commented: “I think anywhere you go, there’s always pressure to perform every week, there is the pressure to keep your spot, pressure from the supporters, because obviously you have to win every game. There is always pressure anywhere you go.”
David`s Perspective on Serie A
Offering his thoughts on Italian football, the striker stated: “When I watch Serie A compared to, say, the Premier League, the [latter] is just faster tempo, more up and down, faster. And Serie A can be like that, but it’s more tactical. It’s more like a chess game in a way.”
Emphasizing his desire for a swift resolution to his future, David added: “I obviously want to get something done before pre-season starts so I can get settled and have that pre-season time with my team.”
He concluded, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of transfers: “Anything can happen, you never know what can happen. You just have to be prepared for anything.”
David is set to become a free agent as his contract with Lille is due to expire at the end of June 2024. Although he will be available without a transfer fee, a recent report suggested that the overall cost to a club acquiring his services could potentially reach around €34 million when factors beyond just the transfer fee are considered.
