Juventus forward Lois Openda is nearing a loan move back to France, with Lyon currently leading the race to secure his signature, according to reports in Italy. Lens are also still in contention for the 26-year-old Belgian international.
Openda arrived at Juventus last summer from RB Leipzig on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for a reported €43.9 million, but struggled to make a significant impact in Serie A, scoring just two goals in all competitions. This lack of form has led to him being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Luciano Spalletti.
Despite his limited role, Spalletti is hesitant to allow Openda to depart immediately. With fellow forward Jeff Ekhator sidelined for approximately twenty days and Jonathan David still on holiday, Openda, alongside Arkadiusz Milik, represents one of only two senior attacking options available to the coach for Saturday’s friendly against Standard Liegi. Juventus are reportedly seeking a loan deal with an option or obligation to buy, rather than a permanent sale to avoid registering a significant loss.
The club recognizes they are unlikely to recoup their initial investment in Openda in the short term, given his inconsistent performances. Prior to joining Juventus, Openda had enjoyed prolific seasons with Vitesse Arnhem (24 goals in 2021-22), Lens (21 goals in 2022-23), and RB Leipzig (28 goals in 2023-24), demonstrating his potential when playing in leagues more suited to his counter-attacking style. A loan move would allow Juventus to save approximately €4 million in wages, freeing up salary space for potential new signings.
While a move to Lyon is progressing, it is not expected to be finalized this week due to Spalletti’s need for cover in the upcoming friendly. Once sufficient attacking reinforcements arrive, Openda’s departure will likely be confirmed, potentially signaling a return to the Ligue 1 where he previously excelled. This move could provide Openda with a platform to rediscover his scoring touch and rebuild his career.
