[SASSUOLO, ITALY - JANUARY 06: Loïs Openda of Juventus during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
SASSUOLO, ITALY - JANUARY 06: Loïs Openda of Juventus during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)](https://football-italia.net/juventus-expected-to-send-openda-to-lyon/)Lois Openda is on the verge of leaving Juventus to join Lyon in Ligue 1, but is still expected to be part of the Bianconeri squad for a pre-season friendly against Standard Liege in Belgium this weekend.
Lyon closing in on deal to sign Openda from Juventus
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The Belgian forward is not part of Luciano Spalletti’s plans heading into the 2026-27 season after a disappointing first season in Serie A, scoring just one goal from 24 league outings.
Despite a shortage at centre-forward at times in the second half of the 2025-26 season, Openda was at the lower end of Spalletti’s striking hierarchy, despite the fact that he had come in at a cost of over €40m during the summer transfer window.
Read more:Spalletti growing frustrated at Juventus delays and is expecting 5 new signings
After a disappointing first season, and having cost €43.9m between his loan and transfer fees, Juventus are in a difficult position when it comes to negotiating a sale. For this reason, Openda is expected to leave on loan with an option, rather than an obligation to buy.
VERONA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Lois Openda of Juventus FC in action during 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)
VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Lois Openda of Juventus FC in action during 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)
According to reports fromCalciomercato.com and various other outlets in France and Italy, Openda is on the verge of giving his final approval to a loan move to Lyon in Ligue 1. This deal will also include an option to buy if it goes through.
There are still a few details to be ironed out, including whether or not Juventus will be willing to make any contributions towards the player’s salary. Openda reportedly earns a gross wage of €7.4m per season, while Lyon pay their current highest earner, Corentin Tolisso just €5.4m in gross wages per season.
However, Lyon head coach Paolo Fonseca ‘expects’ to have a deal wrapped up for Openda by the beginning of next week.
LECCE, ITALY - MAY 09: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 09: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Juventus are unable to release the player any earlier as head coach Spalletti needs him to play in a pre-season friendly against Standard Liege on Saturday, given that he and Arkadiusz Milik are the only available senior centre-forwards available in the squad due to Jeff Ekhator’s injury and Jonathan David’s extended World Cup break.
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