Lois Openda is not going to be Manchester United’s new centre-forward with reports claiming that RB Leipzig have ‘agreed’ terms ahead of a £25 million deal for the Belgium international striker.
If you were to rank the wide array of number nines linked with a summer move to Manchester United, Lois Openda is unlikely to crack anyone’s top five. And that probably includes Erik ten Hag’s.
Presuming Harry Kane is his number one target – with Victor Osimhen, Rasmus Hojlund, Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos – making up the rest of the top five, the RC Lens talisman probably falls somewhere in behind.
The Esteban Ocon, if you like, to Harry Kane’s Max Verstappen.
Sticking with Red Bull, Sky Germany now report that Openda is on his way to Leipzig anyway.
Lois Openda heading to Germany after Manchester United links
Manchester United sent scouts to watch the former Vitesse Arnhem poacher recently – his 21 goals and four assists helping Lens finish second in Ligue 1, just one point adrift of Paris Saint-Germain (90Min).
Openda even scored a five-minute hat-trick against Clermont.
But, with Ten Hag focusing on Kane and holding talks with Hojlund, RB Leipzig have taken full advantage; stepping their foot onto the accelerator, activating the ‘DNS’ and breezing towards the checkered flag.
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Leipzig, who beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Pokal final over the weekend, have ‘agreed’ a deal for Openda. The 23-year-old poacher will cost Marco Rose’s side around £25 million.
Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, adds that Openda will likely sign a five-year deal at the Red Bull Arena. He will be expected to replace the goals and the influence of the Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku.
With Kane and Osimhen likely to command fees in excess of £100 million, Manchester United are already hot on the heels of a younger, more affordable alternative. Although it seems that Atalanta’s Hojlund – rather than Lens’ Openda – is emerging as Ten Hag’s chosen ‘Plan B’.
The Athletic and Manchester Evening News report that Hojlund has already held talks with both Ten Hag and John Murtough.