Ligue 1 side closes door on January exit of Barcelona target – ‘We are in no obligation to sell him’ | OneFootball

Lille president Olivier Letang has made it clear that Jonathan David will not be sold in January, stating that no offers have been received for the Canadian striker.

David, one of the most sought-after forwards in European football, has been a standout performer for Lille. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, speculation about his future has been growing.

Letang explained that the club is very happy to have David and is not looking to sell him in the upcoming transfer window.

“We are not going to sell him in January and we have not received any offer for him,” he said as quoted by SPORT.

No obligation to sell

He pointed out that David still has one year remaining on his contract, and Lille is aiming for a spot in next season’s Champions League.

The club is not under any pressure to sell, especially considering the value of a player who consistently scores 20-25 goals per season.

Jonathan David will not leave in January. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

“Jonathan’s situation is super simple. We are very happy to have you with us. Last offseason he had one year left on his contract.

“We could qualify for the Champions League. When you have a guy who scores 20-25 goals a season. We had no obligation to sell him,” he added.

David is important for Lille

The president further emphasized that David’s importance to Lille goes beyond just his goal-scoring ability.

He noted that if the club were to qualify for the Champions League by the end of the season, it would more than compensate for a potential transfer fee.

Additionally, Letang mentioned that David is very fond of Lille, highlighting the strong connection the player has with the club.

“He is a player who scores between 20 and 25 goals and qualifies for the Champions League. Plus, Jonathan loves Lille which is his club.”

David needs to decide

Jonathan David has a contract until 2025. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)

Letang also addressed reports of interest from Marseille, stating that he is unaware of any such offer.

He was firm in stating that Lille’s position has always been clear from the start – the club is focused on the player’s well-being, and David already has an offer in hand, leaving the decision in his hands.

“Our position was very clear from the beginning, we think of the athlete. Obviously, he already has an offer that is in his hands, the ball is in his court,” he added.

Despite Lille’s clear stance on not selling David in the winter transfer window, Barcelona’s interest in the striker remains strong.

David’s potential as a reinforcement for the next season continues to be of great interest to Barça, and Lille’s decision not to sell him now will not affect their plans for the summer.