With Mbappé no longer in Ligue 1 this season, a new top-tier forward has emerged in the French league: Lille’s talented striker Jonathan David. In 23 appearances this season, David has scored a remarkable 17 goals and provided 3 assists.
At 24 years old, David’s impressive stats have caught the attention of many top clubs. Currently, six football giants—Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Chelsea—are all vying to sign this prolific striker. One key reason for this scramble is that David’s contract is set to expire next summer, meaning he could be signed on a free transfer, saving interested clubs up to €100 million.
Given his outstanding performances, even Real Madrid might be considering whether they made a mistake signing Mbappé. The inflated statistics of Ligue 1 strikers are becoming increasingly apparent. Even a Lille forward like David can achieve an almost one-goal-per-game efficiency in a breakout season.
Moreover, Mbappé benefitted greatly from PSG’s team support and tactical accommodations, allowing him to pad his stats and deliver stellar performances. Now, Real Madrid finds themselves quietly enduring the disappointment of Mbappé’s inconsistent performances. Meanwhile, David’s most likely next destination seems to be a Premier League team, where salaries and benefits are better. For a 24-year-old player, it’s an opportunity to secure a lucrative contract that’s hard to pass up.
