Last week, The Athletic were one of several outlets to reveal Newcastle’s interest in Lille striker Jonathan David.
He’s enjoyed a few impressive seasons in France, is out of contract next summer and has been tipped to seal a summer move to the Premier League, but he won’t come cheap.
According to Matt Hughes at The Sun, West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea are all keen on the Canadian international. However, the Hammers have pulled out of the race due to his agent’s demands.
He reports that West Ham agreed to pay Lille’s £30m asking price, only for his representatives to ask for an additional £10m in agent fees. As a result, it’s believed the Irons have walked away from a deal and turned to Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran; the Colombian forward who was linked with Newcastle earlier this week.
David has 84 goals in 183 appearances for Lille, scoring 26 goals in all competitions last term. He also helped Canada reach the semi-finals of Copa America this summer, but it sounds like he isn’t available at the ‘cut-price’ fee some hoped for if those agent demands are anything to go by.
West Ham pull out of race to sign Lille striker Jonathan David despite meeting Lille’s £30million transfer price, with club refusing to pay additional £10m in agent fees. Full story @TheSunFootballhttps://t.co/dTspbJpgzZ
— Matt Hughes (@MattHughesMedia) July 23, 2024
Ultimately you’re talking about a £40m outlay for a quality young CF with bags of potential – both performance wise & financially (even if we pay £40m).
Top forwards are in high demand & short supply – pay the money & get the lad I say.
Sharpy17(Quote)
25% to the agent 🤔? It’s OTT.
Benton Bob(Quote)
Well done West Ham if true.
I hope we do not pay crazy agent fee’s too.
ABM(Quote)
Ridiculous agent’s demands.
Should do a Cloughie and kick the agent out the room while negotiations are ongoing. and then there should be a standard percentage all round.
It would be hilarious if EVERYONE told that agent where to go and the player dumped them.
BykerBill(Quote)