Openda's Juve Nightmare: Bianconeri Poised to Ship Him Out as Lens Eyes Reunion
Loïs Openda's dismal spell at Juventus – just two goals in 33 games – has the club ready to sell him this summer to cut losses on his €40.6m obligation-to-buy deal. Lens, where he starred with 21 goals in 2022-23, are keen on a loan-to-buy reunion as they chase Ligue 1 glory and Champions League cash. It's a chance for Openda to escape the bench and revive his career.
Picture this: you've landed at one of Italy's biggest clubs, meant to be the next big thing up top, and instead you're warming the bench like a forgotten half-time pie. That's the sorry tale of Loïs Openda at Juventus, where the Belgian forward's stint has gone from promising to proper pants. As reported by Calciomercato via Goal.com, the Old Lady are ready to shove him straight back onto the transfer merry-go-round come summer.
From Leipzig Loan to Turin Flop
Openda rocked up in Turin on the last gasp of the 2025 summer window, nabbed on loan from RB Leipzig as emergency cover for Kolo Muani after PSG played hardball. The plan? Slot him in as heir apparent to Dusan Vlahovic. Reality? A whopping two goals in 33 competitive outings – one against Roma in Serie A, the other versus Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.
Since the turn of 2026, it's been bench city. Just one start, in a home loss to Como, and he's been benched for recent wins over Pisa (4-0) and Udinese (1-0). Under gaffer Luciano Spalletti, who's got his contract extended, Openda's slipped down the pecking order – only Arkadiusz Milik, freshly back for that Udinese scrap, is lower. Confidence shot, Belgium World Cup dreams in Mexico, USA and Canada? Fading faster than a dodgy VAR decision.
The Pricey Loan That's Turning Sour
Juventus didn't splash mad cash upfront – €3.3 million loan fee, plus up to €0.8 million in bonuses. But here's the kicker: an obligation to buy for €40.6 million (spread over four years, plus €1.7 million extras) if they finish top 10 in Serie A. With that looking likely, the bill's coming home.
To dodge a financial clanger, they'll need to flog him for around €35 million. Chuck in his hefty €7.4 million gross wages till 2030 (about €4 million net a year), and shipping him out saves a packet. No wonder all sides fancy a amicable split – no tears, minimal cash bleed.
Lens Lurking: A Sang et Or Homecoming?
Enter Lens, Openda's old stomping ground from 2022-23, where he banged in 21 goals across 42 games, earning that Leipzig leap. The Ligue 1 high-flyers, sitting pretty on 56 points with eight games left – just one behind PSG, nine clear of Lyon in fourth – are sniffing around.
Word is, they're plotting a loan-with-obligation-to-buy, but they'll need Champions League footie for the UEFA dosh to make it stick. Chances look mint for the Blood and Gold. For Openda, it'd be a reset button: back to Ligue 1, where he thrived, maybe rebuild that swagger and Belgium nod.
Juventus fans might shrug – he's been more David (his strike mate who's fared better) than destroyer. Still, offloading him smartly keeps the books tidy ahead of Spalletti's rebuild. Will Lens seal the deal, or pop up another suitor? Grab your pint, lads – this transfer saga's got legs.