Manchester City are linked with a Lille striker and it’s a move that has merit | OneFootball

Erling Haaland’s ankle injury does raise a question: Should Manchester City sign another striker in the summer? Omar Marmoush does appear to be the next in line to fill the void left by Haaland’s absence for now. But in the summer perhaps a move for Lille striker Jonathan David does have merit based on what could potentially unfold in the summer.

Firstly, Rudy Galetti has reported for TeamTalk that Manchester City are one of a host of clubs that have gathered information ahead of potentially signing Lille striker Jonathan David this summer. Galetti reports that Arsenal, Newcastle United, Inter Milan and Chelsea all have shown an interest in potentially signing the Canadian international. Furthermore, Galetti adds that David is available on a free transfer this summer as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

There is an argument to be made that Manchester City potentially should sign another striker this summer. But it may depend on who leaves the club and how Omar Marmoush is viewed as a player for next season. If, for the sake of argument, Jack Grealish departs Manchester City would Omar Marmoush slot in on the left wing? There is merit to that idea as Marmoush looks to be a player who is best suited to that role. He can drift centrally from there and that could open up space for Josko Gvardiol to bomb forward into. But, of course, that would depend on whether or not Jack Grealish leaves the club this summer. If that was how Pep Guardiola intends to use Marmoush, then you can see the merit to the idea of Manchester City signing another striker this summer.

Jonathan David is a fine player who could potentially add to the Manchester City squad.

Lille striker Jonathan David is a quality player in his own right. This season he has scored 23 goals and added 10 assists in 42 appearances for Lille. He has shown during his time at the club that he is a quality striker. David’s performances in the Champions League earlier this season were also impressive. So he does appear to be destined for a move to a big club this summer.

But could Manchester City land the Canadian striker? That would depend on what role they offered him. It’s hard to see a player like Jonathan David accepting a role as Haaland’s backup. When fit, Erling Haaland is City’s number one option up front. That isn’t changing anytime soon. That would be the only role City could offer David. That could change if Pep Guardiola does intend to play with two strikers at times next season. But even that appears unlikely. So, while the idea of Manchester City moving for Jonathan David has merit, it could appear to be an improbable move to secure.

Manchester City could look to sign another striker next summer. That scenario may depend on how Omar Marmoush performs in Haaland’s absence for the next 5-7 weeks. There is no doubt that Jonathan David would be a good addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad. But there are a lot of variables to the equation currently so it may be a move that looks good on paper but not in reality.