In a compelling twist in the January transfer narrative, Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League has entered the fray for Lille’s Canadian maestro, Jonathan David, joining the ranks of Inter Milan and Juventus. The highly regarded sports outlet Calciomercato has reported that manager Stefano Pioli intends to engineer a move for the prolific center-forward, potentially jeopardizing his anticipated Serie A move.

With his contract at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy set to expire at season’s end, David has taken the proactive step of signaling his desire for a fresh challenge, placing both Inter and Juventus on red alert. The stakes have risen considerably as these clubs had strategically hoped to acquire him on a Bosman deal.

However, Al-Nassr’s willingness to inject €15 million into the negotiations could significantly disrupt the plans of both Italian giants. This amount, which could secure David’s services now instead of waiting until the summer, positions the Saudis as serious contenders in this bustling transfer market.

Moreover, Al-Nassr’s financial muscle is further displayed in their capacity to offer the 24-year-old a tantalizing contract of €6 million net per season — a figure that likely eclipses what Inter and Juventus could propose. It’s a daunting prospect for the Italian sides, who are already feeling the pressure of financial constraints.

Let’s not forget that Inter’s interest in David has waned in light of their newfound focus on Bologna’s promising talent, Santiago Castro. The 20-year-old has caught the eyes of the reigning Scudetto champions as they ponder moving on from veterans Marko Arnautovic and Joaquin Correa.

Conversely, Juventus has firmly earmarked David as a budget-friendly reinforcement to bolster Thiago Motta’s attacking arsenal. With Arkadiusz Milik sidelined by injury, Dusan Vlahovic remains the sole reliable center-forward at the Allianz Stadium, making David an even more attractive prospect.