Lois Openda is set to leave Juventus and Leeds United have stepped forward for the Belgian.
The striker had a very disappointing 2025/26 campaign in Turin. Despite scoring just once in Serie A and playing less than 1000 minutes, Juve had to sign him permanently for around €40m.
That didn’t change things, as Luciano Spalletti lost trust in the striker.
This has led to Sport Witness covering interest from Coventry City and Nottingham Forest. Leeds United were the early candidate to sign him, but talk around the other two clubs has grown in recent weeks.
The Whites remain in the picture and have made enquiries.
Player training hard
Today’s TuttoSport go into the details of Openda’s situation. The Belgian has ‘lost everything’ in Turin and this includes a spot in the Belgium national team.
Agents around him are working hard to find a new club. It is believed he is at the right age to make another jump, with some calls having arrived from France. Lyon and Rennes are interested.
Leeds United have asked for ‘as much information as possible’ and seem the likeliest destination, because of that and their finances.
Openda is tired of the negativity surrounding him. He wants to get past all of that, and has been training whilst on holiday in the Algarve. While wearing a Cristiano Ronaldo shirt, he has been working on his fitness before Juve start their pre-season camp.
He is also training with an individual coach to make sure he is up for a challenge, if clubs like Leeds United come calling.
Player also pushing for deal
Openda is unlikely to reject a move to Leeds United. To him, it would be a good way of getting his career back on track, even if the Whites didn’t qualify for Europe.
For the Yorkshire club though, it would be a risk. Even if they sign him on a loan, he would have to adapt to a new environment in England. He has played in France and Germany, which could be better destinations to resurrect his career.
Juve are unlikely to be worried about finances. They know a permanent exit would be difficult and will accept a loan.
