Tomorrow, Jesse Marsch will unveil the list of 26 Canadians selected for the 2026 World Cup. Not seeing Jonathan David there would be a surprise. Ice Man did not have an exceptional season at Juventus, but he is one of the starters for the national team. The former LOSC player will be appointed quickly, he who wants to best represent the host country which will organize the tournament jointly with the United States and Mexico. It will also be an opportunity for him to show that he has not lost his scoring talents despite an average year in Piedmont.
Indeed, the Brooklyn native has scored 8 goals this season. He also delivered 5 assists. All in 46 appearances in all competitions (2,329 minutes), including 27 as a starter. On the other side of the Alps, it is estimated that the 26-year-old striker, who arrived free, did not really have the expected impact, both in terms of his performance and what he was able to bring into the game. In addition, he also experienced difficulties adapting in the Bianconero locker room. If things improved slightly after the arrival of Luciano Spalletti, the Canadian did not convince.
Jo David has courtiers
The transalpine sports press does not hesitate to criticize him at the slightest opportunity. After a complicated first exercise, nothing says he will be there this summer. For several weeks, the Italian media have been announcing in unison that the door is open for Ice Man and that a few clubs, notably OL and OM, are interested. Everyone knows the qualities of the player who was successful in the north of France. Especially in Lyon, where Paulo Fonseca knows the striker he managed very well. This is good, the Portuguese and OL are looking for a quality center forward to lead the club, whether it plays in the Champions League or the Europa League.
But we would have to find the right formula to attract such a player, whose salary is very high and unattainable for OL. He should agree to financial efforts or that part of his emoluments be covered by Juve. What is certain is that the residents of Groupama Stadium managed to work miracles with Endrick last January. As explained on our site, they will look to do other things like this this summer. It remains to be seen whether a loan with or without a purchase option will be enough to convince the Old Lady. It’s not certain. In Italy, The Corriere dello Sport and the Gazzetta dello Sport explain that the Piedmontese need to replenish their coffers this summer. Several players are for sale, including Jo David.
A very complex file
But his departure will also depend on others. Sky Italia indicates that the door will remain closed for him this summer if Dusan Vlahovic does not extend his contract which ends on June 30. Problem: Serbian has serious touches in Europe. Chelsea, Bayern Munich and even big Spanish teams are there according to the CdS. Which is not good news for Juve, who are also moving forward to bring back Randal Kolo Muani (PSG). The arrival of the Frenchman would not change anything in David’s fate, since Juventus wants to have two attackers. The Canadian under contract until 2030 is therefore waiting to learn more about the Vlahovic case.
All this should be decided very quickly. Because the former LOSC player risks missing opportunities. OL, who must prepare the qualifications for the C1, hope to have reinforcements fairly quickly. For its part, Juventus, which will have to sell elements after failing to qualify for the Champions League, still has an idea of the Canadian’s selling price. Tuttosport mentions an amount of €35 million. But other publications estimate that it would take between €25 and €30 million to dislodge it. Which seems too high for Lyon today. Other clubs, particularly in the Premier League, can however assume the price of such a transfer. But we are not there yet since Juve is first waiting to resolve the Vlahovic case before making a definitive decision for David. Summer may be long…
