Graham Potter lines up Lille’s Jonathan David as first Chelsea transfer as he plots move for striker in January

GRAHAM POTTER is reportedly lining up Lille’s Jonathan David for a January move.

The Chelsea boss is believed to want reinforcements up front and could move for the in-form striker.

It’s been a dream start for the Blues boss who has won five of his first six games in charge.

Key to that has been Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has found his scoring touch domestically and in Europe.

But the frontman is 33-years-old and does not represent a long-term option for the Blues.

David is only 22 and Sports Witness report that he finds himself on the Blues’ shortlist following his electric start to the season.

The Canadian has scored nine goals in 11 Ligue 1 matches for Lille this season as he thrives under his new boss, ex-Roma manager Paulo Fonseca.

He looks set to smash his previous strike record having scored 15 league goals last season and 13 the season before.

The report indicates Chelsea would likely have to fork out over £50m to land the rising star.

And Lille are known to be difficult negotiators, with Arsenal having to pay £72million for Nicolas Pepe in 2019 and Napoli spending £67.5m for star striker Victor Osimhen a year later.

It could be the latest dive into the transfer market for the new ownership, led by American Todd Boehly, who has not been shy in splashing the cash.

Chelsea spent over £270m in the summer transfer window as they recruited stars such as Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana for huge sums.

And the club are continuously linked to other big name stars with wantaway Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo heavily tipped for a shock move to Stamford Bridge in July.

But the move was reportedly scuppered due to opposition from ex-Blues boss Thomas Tuchel.

And reports indicate the London club are still close to signing RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku.

The German side have a task on their hands clinging onto their best assets, with midfielder Konrad Laimer and defender Josko Gvardiol also reported as being chased by Chelsea.