Arsenal should go all in for Tottenham & Liverpool 'target' this summer after contract offer 'rejected' - opinion

Arsenal’s season has been dominated by their need to sign a number nine. However, they failed to address the position in the summer and January and are now facing the punishment.

With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both suffering season-ending injuries, Mikel Arteta has been forced to play midfielder Mikel Merino up front. This hasn’t worked out, with the team scoreless in two games.

They will be looking ahead to the summer transfer window to finally sign a striker, however, with so many world-class options available, it remains to be seen as to which striker they will go in for.

Arsenal should sign Jonathan David

The Gunners have been strongly linked to Newcastle United attacker Alexander Isak, who has been one of the best number nines in world football this season. However, it isn’t clear as to whether he will be available in the summer as the Magpies will expect well over £100 million for him.

Furthermore, Benjamin Sesko has emerged as a target too, but seeing as he is just 21, and expected to cost around £70 million, it is more of a risk for the Gunners to sign a relatively unproven talent.

Instead, Lille FC striker Jonathan David is due to become a free agent in the summer as his contract at the French side is set to expire. Aged 25, he is a proven goal scorer, netting 21 goals in 37 games for the club this season. His market value is estimated to be around €45m (£37m).

It has now been confirmed that he will hit free agency after reliable football transfers Journalist Nicolo Schira said on X that David has rejected a new deal from Lille, and will become a free agent in June.

With Arsenal needing a number nine, David would be an absolute bargain who has experience in the Champions League. Plus, as Arsenal battle against the likes of Liverpool and Man City to win their first league title since 2003/04, it would be useful to have a striker who managed to beat Paris Saint-Germain to the French Ligue 1 title in 2020/21.

Arsenal would face Premier League competition to sign David

Arsenal have previously been linked to signing the Canada international, but they aren’t the only Premier League team to show an interest. Reports suggested that late in January, Liverpool made a small bid for the 25-year-old in order to bring him to Anfield six months before his contract at Lille expired - however, it was rejected.

Due to the inconsistent performances from Darwin Nunez, there is every chance that Arne Slot could go back in for David in the summer window as a cheap replacement for the Uruguayan.

Tottenham are also said to be interested in the Canadian attacker as they look to add more depth up front as a long-term replacement for Harry Kane, who left the club in the summer of 2023. The likes of West Ham and Newcastle United have also been linked while a report from TBR Football last month claiming Barcelona were leading the race to sign the player.

However, considering David won’t command a transfer fee, Arsenal can offer him a healthy wage to tempt the 25-year-old to join at the Emirates, something that could be vital in their pursuit of him against Liverpool and Spurs.

For your next Arsenal read, Manchester United are set to join the Gunners in the race for a £51m midfielder in the summer.