Liverpool have reportedly registered strong interest in a key transfer target – with the player being available on a free transfer in the summer.
New Reds manager Arne Slot made just one permanent signing this summer, bringing in winger Federico Chiesa from Juventus for £12.7 million.
Liverpool also secured a deal for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will remain on loan at the Spanish club for the season before moving to Anfield next summer.
The club’s management is facing several contract issues, as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah will all be out of contract next summer. While reports suggest Liverpool is close to an agreement with club captain Van Dijk, the futures of Alexander-Arnold and Salah remain uncertain.
Additionally, Liverpool is reportedly showing “strong interest” in signing another attacker. InterLive.it (via Sport Witness) indicates that Inter Milan is pursuing Lille striker Jonathan David, who, like the aforementioned trio, is also out of contract in 2025.
Juventus and Liverpool are both interested in the Canadian international, who offers versatility by being able to play as a winger if needed. This adaptability could be appealing to Slot, especially with Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Darwin Nunez all capable of playing across the front line.
David is valued at £37 million on Transfermarkt, despite his current five-year contract with Lille set to expire. This situation may force Lille to sell the 24-year-old for a reduced fee in January, although David could also sign a pre-contract with another club.
Liverpool’s rivals, Manchester United, faced challenges during negotiations with the French club for 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro, ultimately agreeing to a £52 million fee to secure the center-back.
However, there could be another hurdle for the Reds if they pursue David, even on a free transfer. According to The Sun, West Ham withdrew from negotiations to sign the striker due to an exorbitant £10 million in agent fees, which they deemed unacceptable.
Despite this, David is a proven goalscorer in Ligue 1, having scored 43 goals over the last two completed seasons. He has already netted five goals in eight matches this season, including a hat-trick in a 3-0 away victory against Le Havre to start the 2024/25 campaign.