Joan Laporta has a clear idea of his next target: Jonathan David. The Lille striker has caught the attention of the Barça president after his brilliant performance in the last round of the Champions League.
In that match, Lille surprised Real Madrid, leaving Vinícius Júnior out of place and raging. Jonathan David was key in the victory, which has further aroused Barça's interest in the Canadian striker.
Joan Laporta is After Vinícius Júnior's Nemesis
Jonathan David, 24, is out of contract with Lille and has no intention of renewing it. This means that he'll be free to join any team next summer. Laporta doesn't want to miss this market opportunity. David, valued at 50 million euros, could join Barça without a transfer fee, a crucial advantage given the club's financial situation.
The Canadian striker has been one of Lille's star players in recent years. This season, he's already scored five goals in Ligue 1 and three in the Champions League. His figures are impressive: He has scored more than 15 goals for four consecutive seasons, making him an attractive option to strengthen the offense of the blaugrana.
Barça currently has Robert Lewandowski as its main offensive reference. However, Laporta knows that the Pole, at 36, is nearing the end of his career. There's no clear replacement for him in the squad and Jonathan David could be the perfect substitute. His young age, power and goal-scoring ability position him as an ideal candidate to replace Lewandowski in the future.
Vinícius Júnior's performance against Lille was in stark contrast to David's. The Brazilian forward, normally one of Madrid's stars, looked lost and frustrated throughout the match. He was unable to get past the Lille defense and his performance fell far short of expectations. David, on the other hand, was a constant headache for Madrid's defenders, showing his ability to shine on the big stage.
Laporta is clear about it: Jonathan David is the striker that Barça needs to strengthen its attack. His transfer would be a blow for the club, which is looking to secure a bright future. David wouldn't only offer goals and an offensive presence, but would also be a long-term bet for a Barça that needs to plan beyond Lewandowski.
Lille, meanwhile, will continue to enjoy its striker for a while longer. But everything points at Jonathan David's future being at Camp Nou. Laporta is already working on it.