Coventry City are claimed to be providing “heavy competition” for the signature of Belgian international Lois Openda – a player Frank Lampard has been linked with for several weeks.
That’s according to leading French digital outlet Footmercato.net, whose journalist Sébastien Denis claims the Sky Blues continue to be “in talks” with his club, Juventus.
In a latest report, however, Denis reveals that the 26-year-old striker’s former club RC Lens are working hard to lure him back to his former club to revive his career after a “disastrous” season in Serie A.
“Lens’ management is certainly not lacking in ambition in the transfer market," said Denis. "After making a splash last season by attracting renowned players, the Racing Club de Lens recruitment team is actively working on a high-profile return: that of Loïs Openda.
“Struggling at Juventus, the Belgian striker could return to the Bollaert stadium to revive his career, provided he can reach a complex financial agreement with the Italian club and overcome stiff competition.”
Background to the player’s career
Openda “exploded” onto the scene with Lens during the 2022-2023 season, racking up 21 goals and four assists in 38 appearances. That sensational form and numbers earned him a high-profile €40 million transfer to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. He backed up his growing reputation as a potent striker in Germany where he scored 41 goals and provided 18 assists in 93 matches.
But Openda’s form came crashing to a halt upon being loaned out to Juventus last season with a mandatory purchase option of €42.5 million. Denis writes that Openda “endured a disastrous season, managing just 2 goals in 34 matches,” – poor form that prevented him from being selected for the 2026 World Cup.
Problematic deal
Footmercato say that Openda’s high salary is a major obstacle for RC Lens.
The reports says that Juventus “no longer count on him” and are actively seeking a loan move, hoping he can revive his career and regain his market value.
Several European clubs, it says, are interested (including Coventry ) but Lens has some “compelling arguments” to try and secure the deal. These include the fact that Openda has maintained a deep attachment to the club and sees it as an ideal environment to relaunch his career.
It also says that Lens can offer him a prominent role, guaranteed playing time and, above all, the opportunity to play in the prestigious Champions League. This, it says, is the message sporting director Jean-Louis Leca “has been conveying to him” for the past few days.
Financial obstacles
However, Denis continues, “the deal remains particularly complex to finalise,” with the biggest sticking point being Openda’s salary which is “completely incompatible” with Lens’ wage structure for the player who is contracted until 2030.
It is claimed that for a deal to go through an agreement must be reached “obligating Juventus to cover a significant portion” of the player’s wages.
Lens, he says, “will have to manoeuvre skilfully” to complete this “blockbuster transfer” and “definitively outmanoeuvre the very aggressive competition” from Coventry.
The report concludes that the “coming days will be crucial for what could be the transfer coup of the summer” for the club from the Artois region in northern France.
Good fit
In terms of style, he would offer something different to Haji Wright and Ellis Simms, and could be perfect for how City are likely to operate in the Premier League, more as a counter attacking side than a possession-based team.
Openda is an explosive, transition-based striker known for his blistering pace, intelligent off-the-ball movement and clinical finishing. Operating best in high-tempo, counter attacking systems, he thrives on exploiting high defensive lines, stretching back lines and making sharp, aggressive runs into space.
He’s not the tallest (5ft 10) but is said to have a “surprisingly strong aerial leap” and an active defensive work-rate – a quality, again, that will be vital for City’s campaign. Originally a winger, Openda is said to be “highly versatile” and is comfortable operating as an out-and-out striker who gets on the end of crosses and through-balls, or drifting wide to create overloads.
Lois Openda
Coventry City are repoorted to be in talks to sign Lois Openda(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Verdict
Like Lens, Coventry may well have issues with the player’s wages but a season-long loan makes good sense and could come with an obligation to buy clause which, one would assume, would be dependent on City staying in the Premier League.
Although Frank Lampard can’t provide Openda with the carrot of Champions League football, he can offer him the chance of testing himself in the best league in the world.
There is an element of risk, of course, given Openda’s form last season but his previous figures suggest he is a hugely talented goal scorer. As the old saying goes, ‘form is temporary, class is permanent,’ and if anyone can get him firing again it is Lampard who has a track record at City working wonders on the training field and instilling confidence in players.
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Coventry City writer Andy Turner
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