Manchester United have been dealt a transfer blow by two comments made by January target Jonathan David.

The Lille striker, 25, has become one of the most highly-rated young strikers in Europe in the last few years. David has set Ligue 1 and the Champions League ablaze this season, scoring 18 goals and assisting seven in 31 games, suggesting he is ready for a big move.

It comes as no surprise that David has attracted interest from several of Europe’s top clubs. And the Canada international’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of this season, means he is very likely to leave Lille by the summer.

READ MORE: Marcus Rashford breaks silence with four-word message amid Man United transfer stance

READ MORE: Manchester United transfer news LIVE – New bid, Garnacho exit 'hint', Rashford blow

David this month entered the last six months of his deal, which means he is now able to negotiate a pre-contractual agreement to join another club on a free transfer at the end of this campaign. However, Lille selling him this month would generate some funds from his transfer before then.

That would play into the hands of United, who Sky Sports claim have identified him as a target. But two of the Brooklyn-born forward’s recent comments indicate that he might not be open to a January move to Old Trafford.

In light of interest from La Liga giants Barcelona, David told The Athletic: “[Barcelona] was always the team I grew up supporting. When you grow up supporting a team, it’s your dream to play for them.”

While the position at Barcelona is currently occupied by Robert Lewandowski, the Pole turns 37 in August and the Catalan club will soon need to consider a long-term replacement. David’s comments indicate that he holds Barcelona in higher regard than United, and would choose Hansi Flick’s side over Ruben Amorim’s project if given the choice.

That is despite the player candidly speaking previously about seeing the Premier League as the pinnacle of club football, having said: "I think obviously the Premier League is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. And for me it’s not the Premier League or bust. I’m open to anything and every league has its challenges."

David himself has also indicated that a January transfer is not something that interests him, even if United look to get an advantage over their rivals by offering Lille a fee this month for his services. “Going to a club midseason is never easy,” David continued. “It’s not like the beginning of a season where you have a pre-season, you get to know your team-mates, you have time to gel. In January, things are very hectic. It’s about right now. It’s tougher.”

Lille have also been adamant that they won’t be entertaining a sale in January given how important he is to them and their push for Champions League football next season, which is hugely lucrative for the French side. To extricate him from the Ligue 1 club in the next 10 days would take an over-the-odds offer, and in the current flat market there isn’t the appetite to engage in that, certainly not from United’s end.

That is a major blow to their hopes of landing the in-form striker, with the club having only scored 27 league goals this season. It's believed he would be an improvement to Amorim’s current options - Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund - who have a mere five Premier League goals between them this campaign.

David, meanwhile, has shown his quality at the top level this season. In the Champions League alone, he has managed seven goals in just 11 games, finding the net against the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool.

With both he and Lille preferring his departure to come in the summer, Newcastle have already made their move for the player. Chronicle Live revealed on Tuesday that the Magpies sent a high-level delegation to France to watch him in action against OGC Nice, the club owned by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS firm.