Arsenal overtake Liverpool in race for 'COMPLETE' No9

Liverpool have been tipped for a transfer overhaul in the summer window. We could see strikers like Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez leave the club having failed to win over head coach Arne Slot.

Several top forwards have been linked with Anfield - with Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro among the names mentioned.

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The big problem with those players is the price tag; Newcastle, Eintracht Frankfurt and Joao Pedro are all expected to seek around £100m respectively for their star attractions this summer.

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Paying that kind of money for a forward would reduce the outlay sporting director Richard Hughes could afford to spend in other positions.

FSG are not the kind of owners to splash the cash and it’s expected the club could operate once again on a one-in, one-out basis.

Jonathan David available on a free

That’s why links with Jonathan David have been so intriguing. The Lille forward, 25, is out of contract at the end of this season and is therefore available on a free transfer.

Canada international David has been among the most consistent forwards in Europe’s top five league since joining Lille from Gent back in 2020.

This season he’s grabbed 16 goals and five assists in Ligue 1 and he’s also been a regular on the scoresheet in the Champions League.

The winners of this transfer race will be getting a gem; not only is David capable in front of goal and in his link-up play, he is a tireless off-the-ball worker.

His suitability for Liverpool appears high and he would provide more consistency and quality than either Nunez or Jota.

“He’s not a classic number 9 who simply attacks the goal. He contributes to his team’s overall play,” former Lille and Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou tells Ligue 1’s YouTube channel.

“In short: a complete, generous, and highly effective striker. A real joy to play alongside!”

Arsenal "the hottest" club for Jonathan David

That’s why the latest reports out of Italy are set to disappoint Liverpool fans.

“The competition is increasingly strong for Jonathan David,” INTERLIVE reports.

“In Italy, Juventus must always be taken into consideration, but keep an eye on Napoli.

“The presence of English clubs on the player cannot be underestimated. According to our information, Arsenal is the hottest club, but West Ham, Chelsea and Newcastle have also signed up to the race, with Liverpool a little more on the sidelines today.”

So it looks like the Reds have backed off from David for now, with Premier League and Serie A rivals being allowed to overtake.

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Let’s hope this isn’t a transfer misstep. Chelsea and Arsenal would be improved hugely by a No9 as good as David. Liverpool ought to get there first.