One of Tottenham's biggest issues over the years in the transfer market has been targeting the wrong caliber of players. Instead of signing transfer targets who can materially help them secure regular top-four football, they sign overpriced players who are several steps below the standard of peer players at rival top-four clubs in England.
For example, Tottenham signed a decent Premier League striker in Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth, but they spent 65 million pounds on a player who is closer to the league average, rather than someone who can compete with the best forwards in the Premier League.
The latest transfer target at striker is a little more exciting, though. According to a report from Joel Domenighetti of L'Equipe, Tottenham have begun transfer talks with Lille star Jonathan David, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the 2024/25 season. And with Liverpool star right back Trent Alexander-Arnold headed to Real Madrid, the Canadian international is now the best free agent transfer available on the world football market in summer 2025.
Tottenham aren't the only big club involved in the sweepstakes
David has a litany of big clubs interested in him, too. In addition to Tottenham, Premier League top-five rivals Aston Villa are also involved, as are Serie A giants Napoli and Juventus. All four of these clubs have aspirations of reaching a higher level than they are currently stuck in, but Spurs, in particular, have the biggest need for a difference-making attacker, as they are 17th in their league.
Over the years, David has proven to be a solid, all-around Ligue 1 striker. He has a consistent goal-scoring record of around 15 per season and uses his frame well to shield the ball and create chances. While David isn't quite as well-rounded as Solanke, he is a much better finisher and is a few years younger at the age of 25.
You don't often see top-class, 25-year-old strikers hitting the free agent market, so David and his agent likely have designs on high wages and bonuses with no transfer fee heading to Lille. Tottenham should be willing to spend this amount, though, because they have a high-revenue generating stadium and are one of the most beloved teams in the Premier League with a global following. They can afford him and have more ammunition than Aston Villa, Napoli, and Juventus financially.