AC Milan have made Jonathan David of Lille their number one target for the centre-forward role but a January move now seems unlikely, according to a report.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), Milan’s attention ahead of January has turned to finding a new centre-back given how great the need is for a reinforcement in that role, but the task of signing a No.9 for the future remains to be completed.
Divock Origi was a failed experiment, Rafa Leao only plays on the left, Noah Okafor is better on the outside or in a two-man attack while Luka Jovic has contributed nothing so far. Olivier Giroud cannot keep carrying the attack, especially.
Giorgio Furlani and Geoffrey Moncada look around knowing that there is a strong need, while RedBird knows that a large investment will be required in order to sign a striker who can be a difference-maker.
Milan tried to sign David at the end of August and will monitor the situation in January, knowing that his contract expires in June 2025. Lille will ask for at least €40m, but will not be able to get the €60m they wanted last summer.
Is the new price within reach for January? No, at the moment there is no such budget foreseen for the winter and then, unless plans change, it is more a pursuit for June while will be 12 months from the expiry of David’s contract.
Milan want the Canada international because he is quick, shoots with both feet, knows how to play on the counter-attack and also provides assist. Of course, he has to get back to scoring after netting 39 goals in the last two league seasons, while he has only 2 in the current one.
