Nottingham Forest Among Clubs Interested in Juventus Forward Lois Openda

Nottingham Forest has reportedly entered the competition to acquire Juventus forward Lois Openda, following his omission from Belgium’s World Cup squad.

Openda, who struggled with just two goals in nine starts and 25 substitute appearances during the 2025-26 season, is now tasked with resolving his uncertain club future after a disappointing stint compared to his previous performance at RB Leipzig.

Juventus was required to pay €42.75 million (£37 million) to finalize a permanent deal for the talented forward. However, due to his underwhelming performances in Italy, the Serie A club is open to selling him.

Leeds United and Coventry City have already expressed interest in Openda, but Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports that three additional clubs are closely monitoring the situation.

© Iconsport / SUSA.

Which Clubs Are Interested in Openda?

The report indicates that Nottingham Forest, Monaco, and Eintracht Frankfurt are contemplating adding Openda to their rosters. However, all three clubs are reportedly leaning towards a loan arrangement with an option to buy, which may not align with Juventus’s preferences.

After failing to qualify for the Champions League, Juventus faces challenges in the transfer market unless they can make significant sales. Dusan Vlahovic is already expected to leave the club at the end of his contract, increasing pressure on Juve officials to bolster their attacking lineup.

Only four players managed to score more than four goals across all competitions last season, highlighting the urgent need for a strategic overhaul in their offensive play.

© Imago.

Does Nottingham Forest Need Openda?

Currently, Nottingham Forest has Chris Wood, Igor Jesus, and Taiwo Awoniyi as their primary center-forward options. While none of these players were particularly prolific during the last season, they each bring different qualities and contributed positively under manager Vitor Pereira during the final months of the campaign.

If Openda can recapture his form from RB Leipzig, where he netted 33 goals and provided 16 assists in 69 appearances, his scoring ability and versatility could significantly benefit Forest. However, given that they are not competing in European tournaments this season, taking a risk on Openda may not be necessary.

This situation also applies to Leeds and Coventry City; a return to the Bundesliga might be more suitable for Openda as he looks to revive his career.