Liverpool could revisit interest in 84-goal forward after Diogo Jota decision

Liverpool are interested in signing Leny Yoro this summer, but the Frenchman isn’t the only player Lille have made available for transfer.

The Frenchman is out of contract in a year's time and has emerged as one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe as a result. Yet despite the Reds’ interest in the 18-year-old, it is believed that Real Madrid are favourites to land his signature.

That hasn’t put off Liverpool bosses from trying for Yoro regardless, with the club ready to pounce if the La Liga giants’ own move falters. And any transfer has been aided by the Lille president confirming that the defender is available to leave.

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“Leny Yoro and Jonathan David can leave the club this summer,” Olivier Letang confirmed at a press conference to announce Bruno Genesio as Lille’s new head coach earlier this week. “Both have the ‘exit voucher’ due to their contract situation.”

David is a name that should also be familiar to Liverpool supporters, having been on the Reds’ shortlist of attacking targets when signing Diogo Jota from Wolves in September 2020.

Liverpool will have no regrets at choosing Jota over David and other shortlisted target Ismaila Sarr, given the fact that the Portuguese has returned 56 goals and 19 assists from 145 appearances, and helped the club win both domestic cups over the past four seasons.

Yet Jota has been plagued by injury at times and is now 27 years old. With doubts about Darwin Nunez also persisting after a poor end to the season, and Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz’s long-term futures both uncertain, the Reds could well soon find themselves in the market for a forward once again.

Ideally, a long-term replacement for Salah on the right is preferable. But another versatile option could tick boxes. And former target David, while utilised mainly as a striker for Lille, could prove to be exactly that.

The Canada international is still only 24, having been just 20 when he traded Gent for the Ligue 1 side in a €30m deal in August 2020.

Since then, he has scored an incredible 84 goals for the club from 183 appearances, netting 26 goals in each of the last two campaigns. He also helped Lille win the Ligue 1 title in his first year with the club, before scoring three times in the Champions League the following year as they suffered a round-of-16 exit.

In a rare trait, David is genuinely two-footed. As a result, he would be capable of playing on either flank. And having been prolific in both Belgium and France, as well as the Canada national team, he boasts an impressive 147 career goals for club and country from 314 appearances to date.

Given Liverpool’s struggles in front of goal at times last season, such a player could be what they need. And even if utilised in his favoured central role rather than on the flanks, that could ease the burden on the misfiring Nunez.

The Reds liked the look of David four years ago, even if they favoured Jota at the time. But now 24 years old, he fits their preferred model of signings.

And while not a like-for-like long-term successor to Salah, his availability for transfer, ahead of his own contract expiring next summer, certain makes him an interesting prospect. Consequently, it could be worthwhile for Liverpool to revisit previous interest if they do wish to sign another forward this summer, as they continue to eye up his Lille team-mate, Yoro.