Leeds United want to sign goal machine Lois Openda as Lens ready to consider ‘big’ transfer bids
Leeds United are interested in signing RC Lens striker Lois Openda this summer with the French outfit ready to consider “big” offers, according to CBS journalist Jonathan Johnson.
The exciting French outfit have been one of the surprise packages in Ligue 1 this season and currently sits second in the table, with Openda their out-right top scorer with 19 goals in a sensational breakout season.
The Whites were reported to have sent scouts to watch the talented goal machine, and he is attracting plenty of interest from clubs around Europe [Santi Aouna, 18 April].
According to French journalist Johnson, writing for Fabrizio Romano’s CaughtOffside substack column [12 May], the Leeds United interest is a non-starter, but the player is only willing to leave Lens for a Champions League club given their lofty position in the Ligue 1 table.
“Arsenal have been linked with him, but it’s hard to imagine leaving Lens for someone like Aston Villa, while links with Leeds are also a non-starter.
“From an economic standpoint, Lens might have to consider big offers if they came in, but there’s a very good atmosphere at the club and a lot of excitement about possibly playing in the Champions League, so I don’t think a departure is necessarily straightforward.
“Leeds do have a long-standing interest in the player, as I understand it, but it’s not going to happen while they’re in a relegation battle, Johnson revealed.
Difficult
Openda indeed has enjoyed a rich vein of form in Ligue 1, currently sitting as the third top scorer in the French top-flight, five goals behind Kylian Mbappe and former Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette.
It’s easy to see why so many clubs around the continent is interested in services, given his stunning breakout year and potential to go even further should he make the move this summer.
However, it is difficult to envisage Leeds United signing him, given their sticky situation in the Premier League right now, and his profile is similar to what the Whites already have.
Explosive forwards such as Rodrigo and Georginio Rutter who is yet to stake a claim at Elland Road are similar type of players.
Rodrigo is ageing now, and Patrick Bamford simply can’t be relied on anymore as the first-choice centre forward but surely someone with more experience is necessary to lead the line on a regular basis. Openda has been one of the success stories across Europe and any Leeds United interest is incredibly lofty.
The Whites may have to seek targets elsewhere – once they manage to secure their Premier League status, and even that looks really bleak at this moment in time.
In other Leeds news, four players ruled out by Sam Allardyce for Premier League clash v Newcastle.