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What Arsenal and Everton were told about Jonathan David transfer before Barcelona talks
Jonathan David is attracting transfer interest from Arsenal and Everton but Barcelona have launched a swoop for the Gent forward's services
Jonathan David admits he 'puts pressure' on himself
Arsenal and Everton face being defeated by Barcelona in the race for Gent rising star Jonathan David. The 20-year-old forward forward is being eyed by the Gunners as a potential replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette while he is on Toffees director of football Marcel Brands’ long list of transfer targets.
Gent are expected to sell David, who has scored 23 goals in all competitions this term, to the highest bidder in the summer.
Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven are also monitoring developments.
But, according to the Daily Star, Barcelona have attempted to trump their transfer rivals by launching a move for his signature.
Nou Camp bosses are eager to strengthen their attack and have already held talks with the player’s representatives.
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Gent are determined to hold out for £22million after rejecting what would have been a club-record fee for David from an unnamed bidder in the last transfer window.
The Belgian club’s stance represents a massive hike in price from what they told Arsenal and Everton before Barcelona’s interest came to light.
The Daily Star claim the Premier League duo were told David would be available for £13m due to the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Arsenal and Everton could hold an advantage over Barcelona, however.
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The Canada international, who has 11 goals in 12 appearances for his country, has admitted he would “love to play” in the Premier League.
When asked about the transfer rumours, he told the Guardian: “I don’t really focus on that or think much about it.
“Right now I’m playing almost every minute of every game and that has really helped me get to the level that I need to be. I just need to take a good step where I can make sure I am getting enough time on the pitch to keep developing. I don’t want to go somewhere and just stay on the bench so it’s about taking the right step.
“I want to become one of the best strikers in the world. That’s my goal. The Premier League is the best in the world and most competitive so obviously that is somewhere I would love to play in the future.”