For Juve, the partnership with Openda turned out to be a miscalculation. The powerful striker, who once shone in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, failed to make an impact in Italy's top flight. The bare figures speak for themselves: in 34 competitive matches, the 33-time Belgian international managed a meagre two goals.
His only contribution in the final eleven league matches was a mere four-minute substitute appearance, a stark symbol of his demotion. Turin's faith in the forward evaporated long ago, prompting the club's transfer planners to seek buyers despite having only recently completed the multi-million-euro deal.