Soccer

Canadian striker Jonathan David says 50-50 he stays with Lille as he mulls new contract

Jonathan David is considering a new contract from Lille and says his chances of staying at the French club are "50-50."

24-year-old leads French pro league in goal-scoring this season

A soccer player runs with the ball.
Lille's Canadian forward Jonathan David runs with the ball during a French L1 match earlier this month. (AFP via Getty Images)

Jonathan David is considering a new contract from Lille and says his chances of staying at the French club are "50-50."

The 24-year-old Canada striker is enjoying his fifth season at Lille and tops the league's scoring charts with 11 goals from 15 games. He is out of contract at the end of June and has reportedly been offered a two-year contract.

"As the president (Olivier Letang) said several times, discussions are going on. We're talking but no decision has been reached," David told regional newspaper La Voix du Nord on Monday in an interview. "The door is never closed. It's 50-50."

David has netted 17 goals overall this season — including four in the Champions League and two in the qualifying rounds — to take his tally to 101 since joining in 2020.

He is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe and Lille risks losing him for nothing if he does not sign a new deal. However, Letang previously made it clear he would not sell David during the January transfer window.

Lille is in fourth place in the league and hosts struggling Nantes on Saturday when Ligue 1 resumes following a winter break.

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