Leeds United are leading the race to sign Lois Openda this summer, and the striker is reportedly open to the move, according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider. The 26-year-old Belgian is looking at his options before the window opens, with Juventus keen to move him on after his loan from RB Leipzig turned into a permanent deal.
Leeds United eye Lois Openda as Juventus push Belgian striker towards the exit door
Openda arrived in Turin with high expectations last summer, but things haven’t worked out at all. He’s managed just one goal in 24 Serie A games. Luciano Spalletti, now confirmed as Juventus manager, has basically frozen the forward out, giving him only four minutes of playing time over the last eight league matches.
Juventus agreed to a £40 million obligation to buy Openda from Leipzig, a clause that has already kicked in despite his poor form. According to Corriere dello Sport, the best-case scenario for the Bianconeri is to loan him out this summer and hope to protect his market value. Leeds and newly-promoted Coventry City have both been mentioned, but Football Insider claims Leeds are at the front of the queue, looking at a loan-to-buy deal.
However, Bournemouth and Rennes have also reached out to Juventus, so there’s plenty of competition for his signature. Openda spent two full seasons at Leipzig, racking up 41 goals and 18 assists in 90 games. There is a top-tier striker in there somewhere; the big question is whether Daniel Farke can get him back to his best at Elland Road.
Would Openda genuinely fix what Leeds United need up front for 2026-27?
VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Lois Openda of Juventus FC enters the pitch the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has surprised a lot of people this season with 11 league goals already, and Farke has a track record of reviving strikers that others have given up on. Openda is in a similar boat, a player whose value has bottomed out just as Leeds United are in a strong position to negotiate.
His pace and movement were world-class at Leipzig, and that kind of talent doesn’t just disappear. Still, the red flags are there: scoring only once in Serie A all season suggests a confidence issue that goes beyond just a bad tactical adaptability. A loan with an option to buy is much smarter than a straight loan; otherwise, Leeds United would just be rebuilding his value for Juventus without any long-term benefit. If Farke’s system gets him firing again, Leeds need to make sure they’re the ones who own his future. It’s a sensible move, low risk with a huge potential upside, especially with the ball currently in Leeds’ court.
