Lois Openda to Manchester United transfer links, player profile, where he fits, and release clause

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Manchester United are making RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda a serious target heading in 2024 having scouted him against Manchester City.

United will surely go into the market for another striker in 2024.

Anthony Martial’s time at Old Trafford is surely coming to an end and Rasmus Hojlund clearly needs more support moving forward.

Top strikers don’t come cheap and United now appear to be targeting an expensive move for RB Leipzig forward Lois Openda.

The Mirror report that United scouts watched Openda in action against Manchester City in November and were left very impressed.

Openda scored twice as RB Leipzig lost 3-2 and United have made him a ‘serious target’ in a move which could cost around £75million.

Lois Openda, the story so far

Openda was born in Liege over in Belgium, to a Moroccan mother and a Congolese father.

The striker started his career locally, first joining the ranks of RFC Liege before moving on to neighbours Standard Liege.

Openda then joined Club Brugge at 15 and was given a first-team debut at the age of just 18 back in 2018.

Curiously, Openda never really hit it off at Club Brugge, managing just five goals in 53 appearances.

Openda was farmed out on loan to Vitesse Arnhem in 2020 and smashed 37 goals in 88 games across two years in the Netherlands.

Lens then secured a permanent deal and enjoyed one sensational campaign in France, scoring 21 goals in 42 appearances.

Openda fired Lens into the Champions League and only finished behind Jonathan David, Alexandre Lacazette and Kylian Mbappe in the Ligue 1 scoring charts.

RB Leipzig came calling over the summer, identifying him as their top target to replace Christopher Nkunku following his move to Chelsea.

Openda has made a red-hot start to life in Saxony, smashing 14 goals and three assists in 22 appearances for RB Leipzig.

The 23-year-old has also picked up 14 caps for Belgium, scoring just twice as Romelu Lukaku continues to be their leading striker.

Lois Openda player profile

• Age: 23
• Date of birth: 16/02/2000
• Position: Striker
• Club: RB Leipzig
• Former clubs: Club Brugge, Vitesse Arnhem, Lens
• Nationality: Belgium
• Additional nationalities: DR Congo, Morocco
• Contract: Until June 2028

What has been said about Openda?

“I think he has absolute added value and that’s important for me to emphasise. The boy gives us so much, he’s so uncomfortable to defend against. He makes so many runs, is so strong with his low center of gravity, runs away from opponents.” – Marco Rose, RB Leipzig boss.

“We worked together when Loïs was 18, 19 years old. He wanted to be the No.1 striker in Brugge, but he wasn’t ready to take on this role at a club like Brugge who play in the Champions League. [But] he’s made good progress since. Everyone saw his qualities. He’s super-fast but he also has an eye for goal and a will to be decisive. In difficult times, he’s someone who remains combative. That’s a very important quality in life and as a player.” – Philippe Clement, Openda’s manager at Club Brugge.

“Lois is a direct forward, whether playing through the middle or on the flanks. He can finish with both feet and his head, and, at 23, still has huge developmental potential.” – Former RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl.

How Openda fits in at Manchester United

It’s important to note the key praise above – making runs in behind, being fast, being direct.

Erik ten Hag suggested in pre-season that he wants to make United into the ‘best transition team in the world’.

Openda would certainly fit the mould for that kind of approach and is again proven his quality in an RB Leipzig side who thrive on transitions.

We saw that against Manchester City just a couple of weeks ago; two long balls over the top found Openda and he had the pace as well as the composure to finish.

Ten Hag may well feel that Openda can bring similar qualities to United and improve that push for transition excellence at Old Trafford.

Lois Openda release clause explained

The Mirror’s report suggests that RB Leipzig now want around £75million for Openda, close to double what they paid over the summer.

There is a release clause in Openda’s contract – but it can only be activated in 2025.

Sky Germany reporter Philipp Hinze reported in October that Openda can leave RB Leipzig for €80million (£69million), slightly lower than the current demands.

This will now come down to whether United – and other clubs – are willing to wait to activate Openda’s release clause or pay slightly more to get him in 2024.