Juventus close to sending Openda to Lyon after Standard Liege friendly
Quick summary
Juventus are reportedly nearing a deal to send forward Openda to Lyon, with developments emerging following a pre-season friendly against Standard Liege.
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Attributed to original sourceLois 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 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) According to reports from Calciomercato.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) 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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What happened
Juventus are close to offloading Openda to Ligue 1 side Lyon, according to reports. The move appears to have accelerated after a pre-season friendly against Standard Liege, suggesting the Belgian forward is not part of Juventus' plans for the upcoming campaign. Openda joined Juventus and the deal to send him to Lyon would free up squad space and potentially transfer budget for further incoming activity.
Chance analysis
Offloading Openda to Lyon would trim Juventus' attacking depth but is consistent with their reported strategy of streamlining the squad during pre-season. For Lyon, acquiring a forward with Openda's profile would bolster their attacking options in Ligue 1. The timing — immediately after a friendly — suggests Juventus' management have already made a sporting decision on his future, making this transfer likely to complete soon.
Juventus lose an attacking squad option ahead of the new season; Lyon gain a potential forward signing from a top European league.
Factor in Openda's likely absence from Juventus' attacking options; Lyon may get a goal-scoring reinforcement before their Ligue 1 opener.