Jonathan David’s rise in European football this season has been one of the nice surprise stories, as the Canada international’s performances have attracted interest from around Europe.
Currently playing for KAA Gent in Belgium, the young forward has been linked with moves to clubs such as Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton in the Premier League, while Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have also been mentioned.
His agent has also done a fair bit of talking, explaining he felt his client shouldn’t burn steps in his career and rather move to a stepping stone club than aim for the top straight away.
Regardless of what he does next, the player remains grounded, as he explained in an interview with Sport/Foot this week.
He said: “Nothing is done, but I’ll reassure everyone: these transfer rumours don’t affect me. I’m concentrated on the playoffs and my agent does the rest. When everything will be over, I’ll talk with my agent and the club.
“I renewed (until 2023) because the board were satisfied with my performances and I had nothing against signing a new deal. Why not do it, then? It’s not an extra season on my contract that will scare clubs, and I’m sure Gent won’t ask a ridiculous price for me”.
He said: “It incites me to raise my level. People can say the Belgian league isn’t very strong, but it’s a good launchpad for youngster who want to give themselves a chance at the highest level. In Belgium, we’re constantly on show. Many foreign clubs come to recruit here”.
As for whether he’s ready for a club like Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund: “I wouldn’t say those clubs are too big for me because it depends what they want to do with me, what the manager has planned. The Bundesliga is a good league and I think it’s the final step before a transfer to a great European club.
“I could ask my friend Alphonso Davies to talk about me to Bayern (laughs). I have a lot of respect for the career Davies has had. It’s an example for me”.
It will now be up to the likes of José Mourinho and Jürgen Klopp to try and convince the youngster to join their ranks if he’s a player they are truly interested in.
At the end of the day, there are far worse managers to have to listen to than that duo, and David really finds himself in a nice little situation.
A bit like Erling Haaland did, and he made the right move, it seems.
