Newcastle eye Ligue 1 star and ‘keep tabs’ on Leeds United ace who could follow in £30m hero's footsteps
The latest transfer headlines from St James’ Park as two key targets emerge
Newcastle United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be frontrunners in the race to sign highly-rated Lille striker Jonathan David, according to reports from Italian outlet TuttoJuve.
The Canadian striker recently wrote his name into the history books during the international break by becoming his nation’s joint leading goalscorer with 29 goals in 56 caps.
He is considered to be one of the most clinical finishers in French football and is renowned for his lighting speed and excellent composure in the final third. Last season, he netted 19 goals in 34 appearances for Lille, with only Kylian Mbappe managing more goals.
David has hit double figures in every season turning professional since 2018 and is reportedly seen as a top target for Newcastle as second choice striker Callum Wilson approaches the final year of his St James’ Park contract. David revealed to The Athletic that he held discussions with a number of top clubs last summer before choosing to remain at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
“There were a couple of offers and we just didn’t finish the deal, that’s it. “ The 24-year-old told The Athletic.
He added: “I spoke to a number of teams. I spoke with coaches but ultimately made the decision to stay.”
David is in the final year of his Lille contract but has been in active discussion about potentially signing an extension. However, at this stage he remains uncertain about what the future may hold and has hinted at a potential transfer to the Premier league.
David said: “I’m in the last year of my contract. Eventually my contract is going to run out. So then we’ll see. We’ll see what happens next year.”
TuttoJuve claims that Serie A giants Juventus are really interested in bringing the player to Turin but adds that David’s preference is a move to England. David hinted at this in his interview recently but left himself open to a move to another league. He explained: “I’m open to anything. I think obviously the Premier league is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. And for me it’s not the Premier League or bust. I'm open to anything and every league has challenges.”
Newcastle United eye latest member of Leeds United dynasty
Harry Gray, the younger brother of new £40m Tottenham Hotspur star Archie, is believed to be the subject of interest from Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, according to reports from our sister outlet the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The report, via TBR Football, claims the Magpies have taken a liking to the 15-year-old midfielder, who has scored an impressive eight goals in 11 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League. Gray, who turns 16 next month, is unable to sign professional terms at Leeds until he turns 17 in October 2025 but, like Archie, has strong connections to Leeds through his family.
The pair’s father Andy Gray played for Leeds and Sunderland as a striker while their grandfather Frank Gray, also of Sunderland later in his career, was part of the Leeds side that won the First Division with the Whites in 1974. Their uncle is Leeds legend Eddie Gray, who won the First Division twice and an FA Cup and League Cup while playing for the club.
Archie enjoyed a sensational breakout season at just 18 and played 44 Championship games as his hometown club missed out on promotion through the play-off final last term. Speaking earlier this year, Archie admitted he had hopes of playing alongside his brother one day and backed his sibling to make the senior side at Elland Road.
“He’s a good player, I don’t want to say too much,” Archie told Sky Sports in March while still at Leeds.
“He’ll get big headed. If he keeps training hard I’m sure he’ll be doing what I’m doing. I’d love to play with him one day, it would be like Eddie and Frank again.” The youngster added.
Leeds supporters got a first glance of Harry Gray during pre-season after Farke named the player on the bench before bringing him on for the final 15 minutes in a pre-season victory over League Two Harrogate Town and have already seen that the manager is not hesitant to give youngsters a chance if they have the ability.
However, at this stage Gray is not under professional terms and could still be poached on the cheap if a Premier League club comes knocking, as was the case with Rory Finneran, who arrived in the North East from Blackburn Rovers in the summer just weeks after becoming the club’s youngster ever player.
Similarly, West Brom youngster Jayden Kouossu agreed to leave the West Midlands for Newcastle this week after eight years in the Baggies academy.
Transfers of minors are regulated by football’s governing body FIFA and must meet specific requirements, including consent by the player’s parent(s) or legal guardian. By way of a transfer fee, clubs receive a compensation payment for their role in the training and development of the young player.
Newcastle, like Leeds, have recently shown that there is also a strong pathway for young players to jump from the academy into Eddie Howe’s team. Local lad Lewis Miley epitomised this last season with his stunning breakout campaign while Elliot Anderson, now of Nottingham Forest was also able to get plenty of first team exposure after a successful loan spell at Bristol Rovers.