Juventus have confirmed the loan of forward Lois Openda to Lyon for a fee of €3.5 million, according to reports in Italy. The loan is a dry loan, meaning Lyon will not have an option to buy the player at the end of the season, and Openda is expected to return to Turin next summer. Juventus are hoping a productive season in Ligue 1 will improve Openda’s form after a disappointing spell with the club where he scored only two goals in 37 appearances.
The move for Openda comes as Juventus address their attacking options, but another forward, Jonathan David, remains at the club with his future uncertain. David recently returned from a disappointing World Cup campaign with Canada, where his only notable contribution was a hat-trick against Qatar. Canada were subsequently eliminated from the tournament by Morocco.
David underwent medical checks at the J Medical Center yesterday and participated in his first training session with the team at Continassa. He is in contention to feature in Friday’s friendly against Nice and will travel with the squad to Hong Kong on Sunday.
Despite some interest from clubs in Ligue 1, where David previously excelled with Lille, a transfer appears unlikely at this stage. Juventus are reportedly unwilling to let David leave on the cheap, as he arrived as a free agent and any sale would represent a valuable profit on their investment. The club signed David on a five-year contract worth €6 million per season, a key move during the era of Fabio Paratici.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Spalletti views David as a professional and serious player, but does not see him as a traditional centre-forward. Spalletti believes David is better suited to a role as a second striker or attacking midfielder, capable of linking up with teammates but lacking the specific qualities he desires in a central striker. As of now, no concrete offers have emerged, and David has expressed a desire to remain with Juventus despite his limited playing time.
