Chelsea have moved on from Michael Olise. (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea have opened talks over a potential summer move for Lille striker Jonathan David after being rejected by Michael Olise in favour of Bayern Munich, according to reports. Enzo Maresca is keen to bolster his attacking firepower at the start of his reign at Stamford Bridge, and David is the latest target in his sights.
Chelsea were considered the frontrunners to sign Olise this summer amid rival interest from Bayern and Newcastle United.
However, he opted for the Bundesliga giants, who have reportedly agreed a £50million deal with Crystal Palace to sign him when the European transfer window opens on July 1.
The Blues have wasted no time in exploring other options, though, and are said to have accelerated their interest in David.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have held discussions with the 24-year-old’s representatives about a potential switch in the coming months.
He is said to be high on the club’s shortlist of attacking targets and looks set to be easily attainable, with just one year left on his Lille contract.
Lille president Olivier Letang recently confirmed that David was available this summer for that reason, and he is expected to represent attractive value.
The report claims Chelsea share a positive relationship with Letang through their BlueCo consortium’s ownership of fellow Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg.
Chelsea are in talks for Jonathan David. (Image: Getty)
David is an established international, earning 48 caps for Canada and scoring 26 goals since making his debut in September 2018.
He played the entire match as Canada fell to a 2-0 defeat to holders Argentina in Friday’s Copa America curtain-raiser.
After landing at Lille from Belgian side Gent in 2020 in a club-record £27m transfer, David has scored 84 goals in 183 appearances.
The energetic No. 9 was a crucial player in Les Dogues’ sensational 2020/21 Ligue 1-winning campaign.
David featured in every league match last season, recording 19 goals, as Lille qualified for the Champions League in fourth.
Manchester United have also been strongly credited with an interest as they search for new competition for Rasmus Hojlund, with Anthony Martial leaving as a free agent.
The Red Devils have faced early frustrations in INEOS’ first summer transfer at the helm. They look likely to miss out on Jarrad Branthwaite and were among Olise’s suitors.
David’s potential switch to Chelsea would take another potential target off the table. His sudden unavailability could be all the more damaging given his value at a time when United are under serious FFP pressure.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1914254/Chelsea-transfer-news-Michael-Olise-Man-Utd