Few players will command as much attention as Lille striker Jonathan David will this summer.
The Canada international has established himself as one of the most clinical and consistent strikers in Europe's top five leagues in recent seasons and he is set to become a free agent at the end of this campaign.
The 25-year-old has confirmed he will be leaving the French club at the end of the campaign after five seasons with the four-time French champions.
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Speaking to French news outlet Onze Mondial, David said: "Yes, I will be free at the end of the season. And as for my future, I hope to grow, to become a better player and to play for the biggest clubs in the world, if I can.
"But first of all, I just want to have fun, never forget that football is fun. I started playing football because I had fun. And even though it has now become a job, you have to remember that I wake up every morning for football, for the pleasure of playing.
"Do you want any clues about my future? You will all know in due time, that is at the end of the season. I will not comment before then."
David, who turned 25 last month, has scored 20 goals in 35 games for Lille this season, including 12 in 20 Ligue 1 appearances. He has also chipped in with six goals in eight Champions League outings.
Signed from Belgian club Gent in 2020, David has scored 104 goals in 218 games for Lille, including 72 since the start of the 2022/23 season, with the striker scoring 26 times in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns. With such an impressive goalscoring record under his belt, it is no wonder a wealth of clubs, including Manchester United, have been linked with his signature.
It is no secret by now that United desperately need to add to their attack this summer after another season of struggles in front of goal. The club decided not sign a striker in last month's transfer window after making the decision to prioritise summer spending instead.
This summer's window promises to be one of the biggest United have faced in their history, with countless changes needing to be made. The squad needs adapting to fit head coach Ruben Amorim's principles, meaning countless incomings and outgoings are required.
As the financial results released on Wednesday confirmed, United are in no position to start spending money on players without so much as a care in the world. They are going to have to box clever, be shrewd and try and navigate the market in the best way they possibly can.
Signing a world-class striker, however, will almost certainly force United to dive deep into their budget, with goalscorers the most valuable assets in football. However, David will be available for free this summer, meaning United will be able to sign him without the need for a transfer fee.
Of course, the elephant in the room is that the Canadian is going to be the subject of interest from a wealth of clubs. Barcelona have been heavily linked with his signature, likewise Liverpool and Newcastle United.
Despite United's history, they are languishing behind those clubs right now, both on and off the field. It means they are unlikely to be at the front of the queue for David's signature.
United do not currently have the guarantee of offering any prospective signings European football next season amid the fact they are currently sitting 15th in the Premier League table. However, winning this season's Europa League would see them qualify for next season's Champions League - a competition which David has excelled in so far this season.
But with David establishing himself as one of the most consistent goal-getters in Europe in recent seasons, United need to attempt to throw their hat into the ring for his signature. He is a world-class centre-forward and his numbers speak for themselves.
On a free transfer, United are unlikely to find a better option. He would tick plenty of boxes from both a football and a financial perspective.
