Olympique Lyonnais are reportedly prioritizing the transfer of forward Loïs Openda ahead of their upcoming Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague, according to reports in France. The club continued their positive pre-season form with a 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg on Tuesday, a match played with two 60-minute periods.
Goals from Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alejandro Gomes Rodríguez secured the win for Lyon, building momentum as they prepare for a crucial period. Malick Fofana also made a notable return to the pitch, contributing to the opening goal with a well-worked team move. This victory marks Lyon’s fourth win in five pre-season matches.
Openda, currently without a club, is seen as a potential solution to bolster Lyon’s attacking options. The move aligns with the club’s ambitions to strengthen the squad before facing Sparta Prague, a match already identified as a key fixture in their season. The details of a potential transfer fee and contract terms have not yet been disclosed.
Lyon’s owner has previously indicated a commitment to investing in the squad, and the pursuit of Openda appears to be a direct result of that promise. The club is keen to add firepower to their ranks as they navigate a challenging schedule that includes both domestic league commitments and European competition. Openda’s arrival would provide additional competition for places in the forward line and offer manager Laurent Blanc more tactical flexibility.
Lyon will play one final pre-season match against Real Betis on July 29th before turning their full attention to the Champions League qualifier. Securing Openda’s signature before that match would be a significant boost for the club and their chances of progressing in the competition.
