OVERTIME: Arsenal and Newcastle strengthen as Euro giants open door to sign current most expensive Champions League striker

With a striker on the radar of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle United looking to establish himself as an elite number nine, his Champions League heroics feel like a coming of age moment.

A man destined to become arguably 2025’s most coveted free-agent scored the most high-profile goal of his career at the start of October.

Few players can say they scored a winner against Real Madrid in the Champions League. But Jonathan David joined that exclusive club when firing a penalty past Thibaut Courtois to send the Stade Pierre Mauroy into rafters.

This week, Atletico found themselves sharing their Madrid rivals’ pain.

TBR understands that Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton and West Ham are watching David closely. And his many Premier League admirers will have been struck by the way the forward cooly dispatched his latest spot-kick beyond Jan Oblak in the dying stages at the Wanda Metropolitano; David succeeding where Cristiano Ronaldo failed in Portugal colours.

Jonathan David has two requirements for Arsenal transfer and Mikel Arteta can fulfil both - Tom Canton - football.london

Newcastle and Arsenal boosted as Milan rule themselves out of Jonathan David

The night would get even better for David and Lille in the Spanish capital.

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A deflected volley late on means Lille have defeated both Real and Atletico in back-to-back Champions League matches.

So, if Les Dogues are hoping to sell while they still can in January, David’s match-winning contributions on the biggest of stages should go some way to preserving what little market value the poacher has left.

TBR understands that David has told Lille he plans to leave next year with his contract expiring. Lille, then, may look to cash in during the winter.

And, in another boost to that veritable bucketload of English-based suitors, one of the most high-profile clubs rumoured to be on David’s trail appear to have just removed their hat from the ring.

AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca insists that, despite injury issues for both Tommy Abraham and Luka Jovic, the Rossoneri will not be in the market for a centre-forward in January.

“I’m very satisfied with the players I have,” Fonseca told reporters before Milan’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge. “It’s not normal to have Abraham and Jovic out, but we have [wonderkid Francesco] Camarda and we believe in him a lot.

“I don’t think we need other players in that position.”

With Alvaro Morata already in the building, Milan currently have four first-team options for the number nine role. Fonseca clearly feels there is little reason to chase a fifth.

Fabrizio Romano believes David will leave Lille for free

Arsenal and Liverpool in 'war' for the transfer of Jonathan David - Telegrafi - Telegrafi

In total, David has 10 goals from 15 appearances this season.

With Arsenal and Chelsea lacking what could be described as an elite ‘proper’ number nine – and with Newcastle’s attacking options limited by Callum Wilson’s latest injury – the New York-born Canada international could represent quite the coup either on a free transfer or a knock-down fee in the winter.

“[Jonathan David] will consider several things. The project, the managers…” Fabrizio Romano tells the Debrief podcast, a summer exit still more likely than a January one.

“For sure, he’s having conversations with several clubs, not him, his agent, clubs in England and clubs in Italy, clubs in Spain.

“Jonathan David is one of the biggest names on the market for the summer of 2025. Again, before making any decisions, he will take his time, it’s not something for now or something for 2024.

“Jonathan David will explore his options but for sure I expect him to leave Lille as a free agent.”

TBR understands that David’s Lille team-mate Lucas Chevalier could replace goalkeeper Ederson at Manchester City, meanwhile.

Chevalier made a series of excellent stops again as Lille secured another Champions League scalp on Wednesday.