Lille president Olivier Letang has ruled out a possible departure for star striker Jonathan David unless the club can find a suitable replacement.
The Canadian striker set Lille back €30 million when he joined from Belgian outfit Gent in 2020.
However, his performances in the French top flight have sent his value skyrocketing over the last three years, with the striker now worth around €60m, according to Transfermarkt.
The 23-year-old was in inspired form for Lille last season, racking up 24 goals in 37 Ligue 1 outings, finishing the campaign as the third-highest goalscorer in the division.
He has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Decathlon Arena. But a move has not materialised, with the club reluctant to part ways with their headline performer.
Letang has now opened up on the Canada international striker’s long-term future, insisting they will only sanction his departure if they can find a replacement.
“Today, Jonathan is a LOSC player,” Letang told RMC Sport. “I told him last summer that he would not leave but that he would have a good exit this year, provided that all the conditions are met.
“Today, this is not the case. He is with us and is preparing as if he was going to do the season with us. Whatever happens, David will not leave if we do not have the capacity to replace him.
“Because we have sporting ambitions, and it is out of the question to sell David for a significant sum if we are not able to replace him.
“The economic situation of the club means that we do not have a knife in our throat, which means that either clubs arrive with the right amount and we are able to replace David, or he will stay with us.”
David has already turned down a mega salary package worth €12m a year from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal who remain determined to capture his signature.
The former Gent man wants to remain in Europe and has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but there are currently no offers on the table.
