Prem clubs circle as Juventus weigh departures of Jonathan David and Lois Openda
Prem clubs have been alerted to a possible summer scramble for Jonathan David after Juventus told intermediaries they will allow the 153-goal striker to leave if the club signs another top international striker.
Prem interest builds around Jonathan David
Intermediaries have carried out due diligence with a string of English clubs — Manchester United, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Newcastle, Brighton, Everton, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Leeds — about the 153-goal Canada international. David joined Juventus last summer as a high-profile free agent after scoring 109 goals for Lille in five years; he has managed seven goals in 37 appearances for Juventus to date and has 153 career goals over 353 appearances overall.
David’s camp continues to insist the player is settled in Turin, but they recognise that a move could open if Juventus secure a replacement. Juventus officials have reportedly taken steps to protect their attacking options, re-signing Kenan Yildiz earlier this year and opening talks with Khephren Thuram as part of planning for next season.
How Vlahovic’s future affects David’s chances
Juventus’ willingness to let David depart is tied directly to Dusan Vlahovic’s future at the club. Vlahovic, 26, is on course to become a free agent this summer unless he signs a new deal; the club has reengaged in contract talks and views him as a long-term option. Vlahovic was identified as first choice by Luciano Spalletti after the coach replaced Igor Tudor in late October, but an injury the following month has kept the striker out of action since then.
If Vlahovic inks a new contract, Juventus officials believe the odds of allowing David to move will increase because the club would have a clearer centre-forward line-up for next season. Balzarini, a club insider, adds that Juventus may keep either David or Openda only in a reserve role: “David and Openda, or at least one of them, can stay, but only as a reserve. ”
Openda’s obligation-to-buy and Juventus’ roster choices
Lois Openda, 26, arrived on loan with an obligation to buy that will be triggered by a Top 10 finish in Serie A. The Belgian has struggled for goals, scoring twice in 34 appearances across all competitions, and the club does not plan to keep him as a first-choice striker, coverage of Juventus’ transfer planning. Juventus brought Openda in late in the window after negotiations for another target fell through, and the club now faces the accounting reality of the triggered obligation if they finish inside the Top 10.
Managerial choices have affected both forwards’ opportunities. With Vlahovic sidelined after his injury, Spalletti had urged the board to recruit a true target man because he viewed neither David nor Openda as a genuine centre-forward. Even when other senior forwards were unavailable, the coach showed restraint: Openda was not handed a starting role in the first leg of the Champions League play-off against Galatasaray, though he started in the weekend match against Como and failed to take the chance.
Juventus’ immediate consequence is a likely summer transfer reshuffle: at least one of David or Openda is expected to leave or be repositioned into a backup role, contingent on Vlahovic’s contract decision and the club’s ability to secure another top striker. For now the confirmed calendar markers are clear — the obligation to buy for Openda will be triggered if Juventus finish in the Top 10, and the transfer window this summer is the next phase when clubs in England and Italy can act on the interest shown in David.
