Chelsea and Newcastle 'fly to watch striker' as Prem giants set for free transfer battle

Chelsea and Newcastle have both reportedly flown to France in order to take a closer look at Lille striker Jonathan David.

The Canadian hotshot is out of contract at the end of the season and would represent a major bargain if either Premier League giant can convince him to trade the glamorous northern France for England.

It is expected that the 24-year-old, who has 10 goals in nine Ligue 1 and Champions League starts this season, will leave Lille on a free transfer at the end of the season when his contract expires.

He is routinely linked with the Premier League as a result of his tremendous goalscoring exploits in France, with TBR Football claiming that Chelsea and Newcastle were in attendance for his most recent match.

They scouted Lille’s 1-1 home draw with Lyon, where David gave the hosts the lead after 17 minutes. He pounced on a poor Ainsley Maitland-Niles backpass before rounding Lucas Chevalier and finishing into an empty net. Lille were unable to hold on, however, as Malick Fofana equalised in stoppage time.

It was another impressive performance from David though with his potential suitors watching on as they weigh up the possibility of a summer swoop. Juventus were also there to scout David and his team-mate Edon Zhegrova.

Both English clubs also kept an eye on Lyon talent Rayan Cherki, who has been extensively linked with a Premier League move for a number of years.

Lille are said to be willing to sell David in January, which may pique the interest of Chelsea and Newcastle, as it is the last chance the French giants have at receiving a transfer fee for their star man.

That may require more significant shuffling of the Chelsea and Newcastle frontlines, however, with Nicolas Jackson and Alexander Isak both enjoying strong starts to their campaigns.

There is serious interest in the Swede, reportedly from Arsenal, as Newcastle remain deadlocked in negotiations over a contract extension.

Chelsea went to some lengths to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s attacking options, attempting until the very last moment of transfer deadline day to sign Victor Osimhen, before that move collapsed and he ended up on loan at Galatasaray.

Whether the Blues are still willing to go back in for another striker remains to be seen, but David represents a low-cost opportunity to strike.

And the striker appears keen on taking his talents to England. In March, after becoming Lille’s leading goalscorer in the 21st century he said: “My future? Focused on getting this great club back to Europe where it belongs. The rest will come. Premier League? One of the best leagues in the world, why not?”