Confidence, it appears, is not exactly in the air amongst West Ham United supporters as one of the most prolific centre-forwards available to the Premier League outfit confirms his imminent departure.
There is a running theme behind most of the strikers linked with a summer switch to the London Stadium.
From Emanuel Emegha to Hugo Ekitike, Samu Omorodion to Liam Delap. Four up-and-coming number nines, all of whom are yet to celebrate their 23rd birthday.
A source speaking to Hammers News confirmed recently that West Ham are looking to ‘reinvent’ Graham Potter’s squad ‘around exciting younger talent’.
If they boast a proven track record in English football – Delap scored 12 times in the Premier League this season as Gabby Agbonlahor urges the Ipswich talisman to choose West Ham United over Manchester United – then all the better.
But if Delap feels unlikely at this stage, then the prospect of Jonathan David swapping Lille for London has even the most glass-half-full supporter refusing to get carried away.
West Ham United fans think Jonathan David will not sign for Graham Potter
On Wednesday afternoon, Jonathan David confirmed he will leave Lille when his contract expires in July.
In stark contrast to the departures of Vladimir Coufal, Lukasz Fabianski, Danny Ings and Aaron Cresswell – a 30-plus quartet who have run their course at the London Stadium – this was the news every Lille supporter was dreading.
Scorer of 109 goals in 231 games – and having broken the 25-goal barrier in three straight seasons – the prolific Canada international joins Kevin de Bruyne, Leroy Sane and the Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold as one of this summer’s most high-profile free-agents.
Now, The Hammers cannot be written off just yet. Stranger things have happened in football, and The Athletic reports that positive talks have taken place with David’s camp.
Yet, without even Europa or Conference League football on the table these days, few of a claret and blue persuasion are opting to hold their breath in anticipation.
“West Ham need a striker and Jonathan David is 100 per cent the answer,” presenter and Hammers fan Jamie Boyce writes on X. “Throw the kitchen sink, the cupboards, the fridge, everything at him. Get him playing at the Bowl next season.
“We’ve needed a proper number nine for years. [David is an] out-and-out striker, bags goals, fits the system. Make it happen, West Ham. I’m on my knees.
The response, however, was one of a fanbase reluctant to get their hopes up. Linked with Napoli, AC Milan, Chelsea and more, Jonathan David to West Ham feels too good to be true, even if initial discussions with the New York-born sensation have gone pretty smoothly.
“If only,” is the pessimistic reaction of one fan, painfully aware of West Ham’s place towards the bottom end of the Premier League table.
“Be realistic. He’s never going to come to us a struggling Premier League team over some of the Champions League sides in for him,” another agrees. “Never going to happen.”
“We’ve more chance of signing Greg Davies!”
“I would love J. David, but I just don’t see it with no European football.”
“Going Napoli, we were never in the race.”
Fabrizio Romano says Lille star is in talks to join Napoli
Now, that last sentiment is perhaps not quite correct. West Ham are very much in the race.
And, according to the i Paper, supporting claims from The Athletic, David’s camp are impressed by Graham Potter’s plans for West Ham even if that is an optimism few in the fanbase share following a run of four wins in 17 games.
Yet, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that David is now in ‘advanced’ talks to join Serie A leaders Napoli instead, it would certainly be a massive turn up for the books if the New York-born striker ends the summer in claret and blue.
Having scored against Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord in the Champions League this season – plus during famous wins over Real and Atletico Madrid – David has undoubtedly proven he belongs amongst Europe’s elite.
“I would love to be proven wrong but I think that ship has sailed now unfortunately.”
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