Olympique Lyonnais are reportedly prioritizing the signing of forward Loïs Openda during the current transfer window, according to reports in France. This comes as Lyon continue their pre-season preparations, securing a 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg in a match played with two 60-minute periods.
The win, secured through goals from Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alejandro Gomes Rodríguez, marks Lyon’s fourth victory in five pre-season matches. Malick Fofana also made a notable return to the pitch, contributing to the opening goal with a well-worked team move. The club will play one final friendly against Real Betis on July 29th before focusing on their crucial Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague in just over ten days.
Openda’s potential move to Lyon is framed as a chance for the player to rediscover his form. Details regarding a potential fee or contract terms have not yet been disclosed. Openda most recently played for Lens, where he established himself as a prolific goalscorer in Ligue 1. He scored 21 goals in 38 league appearances last season, attracting attention from several clubs across Europe.
Lyon are undergoing a period of rebuilding under new ownership, and the addition of a proven goalscorer like Openda would be a significant step forward. The club finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season and will be aiming to improve their performance and challenge for European qualification. Securing Champions League football is a key objective for the club's new ownership group, and the Sparta Prague tie represents a major hurdle in achieving that goal.
