Leeds United 'better-placed' to land Juventus forward Lois Openda than Coventry City
A fresh claim regarding Leeds United’s reported interest in Juventus forward Lois Openda.
Leeds United are reportedly leading the race to sign misfiring forward Lois Openda from Juventus.
It has been a tough season for Openda, who completed a loan switch to Serie A after scoring 41 goals across two seasons in Germany with RB Leipzig.
He has managed just two goals in 34 appearances for Juventus, finding the adaptation process a difficult one.
It has been indicated Juventus have an obligation to buy him for a fee in the region of £35m this summer, although it would hardly be a surprise to see Openda exit almost immediately.
Leeds United in pole position
Leeds and Premier League newcomers Coventry City have both been linked but according to Football Insider, the former are in pole position.
The report has claimed Leeds are better-placed to seal a deal for the Belgium international, who they are said to be eyeing a loan-to-buy agreement for.
Juventus are reportedly open to offloading Openda and Leeds are thought to be willing to offer big wages as part of what is likely to be an expensive deal.
Leeds United’s frontline
Openda would add a different dimension to the Leeds attack, offering a different kind of threat to the one posed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Supporters may be alarmed by his lack of goals this season, but the Belgian marksman has previously proven he can be a regular source.
Openda is among the many attacking players to have been mooted as a potential target for Leeds ahead of the summer transfer window.
Calvert-Lewin has proven to be a shrewd addition, as has Lukas Nmecha, but there has been little competition provided by Joel Piroe. There are doubts over the latter’s future and if he does depart, Leeds may be keen to add depth to their frontline.
The Whites have also been linked with free-scoring Feyenoord sensation Ayase Ueda, as well as AZ Alkmaar’s Troy Parrott and Swansea City’s Zan Vipotnik.