Juventus are likely to loan forward Mehdi Openda to Ligue 1 side Rennes, according to reports in Italy. The Belgian international has struggled for playing time at the Turin club, starting only a handful of matches since joining last summer.
Openda, along with fellow forward Arkadiusz Milik, have underperformed this season, costing Juventus approximately €6 million per goal scored between them. This has led to increased scrutiny of the club’s attacking options and a desire for change. Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti reportedly wants to bring in more physical and clinical forwards, and Openda does not fit that profile.
Spalletti initially attempted to assess both David and Openda upon taking charge, but quickly determined neither player was suited to leading the line. While the club opted against signing a new striker in January, Spalletti is now pushing for reinforcements. The situation has ironically led to renewed appreciation for Dusan Vlahovic, whose potential departure could further complicate the forward line.
Rennes, managed by Franck Haise, are a strong contender for Openda’s signature. Haise previously managed Openda at Lens during the 2022/2023 season, where the striker scored 21 goals. The French club, fresh off qualifying for the Europa League, are looking to strengthen their attack. A permanent transfer is unlikely to match Juventus’s initial investment, so a loan with an obligation to buy, contingent on certain conditions, is the most probable outcome. There is also potential interest from Bournemouth, where Marco Rose, a former manager of Openda, will take over as head coach in July.
