Liverpool ready to seal the deal for Ligue 1 forward
By Nayan Dey
Liverpool ready to make a move for Lille star forward
Liverpool is ready to seal the deal for Ligue 1 forward Jonathan David. The Reds are preparing to make a move for the Lille youngster before the summer transfer window closes in a few weeks.
According to TSN, the Merseyside giants are lining up to make a move for the 21-year-old Canadian sensation in the upcoming weeks if Lille makes him available for sale this month.
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David was signed by Lille for a record €30 million fee from KAA Gent. The youngster had a slow start to his French Ligue 1 career but unleashed himself in the second half of the season.
The forward scored 13 goals to help Lille win the Ligue 1 title after a nine year drought, upsetting favorites Paris Saint-Germain in the process.
Due to their financial crisis, the defending champions have already sold stars Boubakary Soumare and Mike Maignan. The club has, however, generated significant fees with their transfers to Leicester City and AC Milan, respectively.
Liverpool is ready to pounce on this situation and reach an agreement before other big clubs get involved. But Reds owners FSG are reportedly following the “sell before you sign” policy.
Understandably, the English giants have transfer listed two players – Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri -– who are ticketed to leave Anfield this month. Both forwards were linked with several clubs but won’t be sold for cheap as Liverpool wait for the right offer.
Liverpool are also considering generating more transfer funds by selling England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, according to former Reds defender Glen Johnson.
Last season Origi, Shaqiri and Oxlade-Chamberlain barely managed to get any game time, each struggling with fitness issues during the past 24 months.
Jurgen Klopp identifies Chamberlain as an option at false ‘9,’ a spot currently occupied by Roberto Firmino. However, he does not consider Origi or Shaqiri as part of his long-term plans.
Can Jonathan David be Liverpool’s perfect long term goal scoring striker?