Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham were reportedly interested in signing 24-year-old Belgian striker Lois Openda from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig this summer.
According to a report by Sport BILD, as relayed by Sport Witness, Lois Openda was popular in the Premier League in the summer transfer window, although a move did not see the light of day. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur were interested in the RB Leipzig striker. However, the Bundesliga outfit turned the English trio away as they did not want to sell him.
The rise and rise of Lois Openda
Lois Openda has established himself as one of the best players in the Bundesliga since joining RB Leipzig from RC Lens last summer. A native of Liege, he spent his formative years in his homeland and graduated from the youth division at Club Brugge. However, he rose in prominence during his spell with RC Lens.
The 24-year-old has gone from strength to strength during his spell with RB Leipzig. Openda was a standout performer alongside Xavi Simons for an inconsistent Leipzig side last season. He has continued in the same vein of form this term, scoring three goals in as many games thus far. Meanwhile, the Belgian striker’s performances have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham.
A man in demand
Chelsea briefly considered the RB Leipzig striker as a top target for the summer transfer window. The Blues were keen on signing a centre-forward but could only secure Marc Guiu’s services. They chased Victor Osimhen for several weeks but could not complete that move. However, Chelsea also contacted the Bundesliga club for Openda.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s interest in Lois Openda was understandable. The Red Devils eventually secured Joshua Zirkzee’s services, but the Belgium international was a viable target for them. However, RB Leipzig’s asking price of €75 million might have scared them away even if the Bundesliga club did not turn down Manchester United’s approach.
As for Tottenham Hotspur, they were keen on signing a striker in the summer transfer window to fill Harry Kane’s void in the final third. Openda thus emerged as a viable target for the North London club. However, Tottenham eventually turned to Dominic Solanke after the enquiry for the RB Leipzig striker did not work.
Meanwhile, the Bundesliga club will charge a bomb to part ways with Openda in 2025, slapping a price tag of €75 million on him. With the 24-year-old Belgian striker going from strength to strength at RB Leipzig, the asking price is understandable.
