In the search for a successor to Bundesliga top scorer Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig found what they were looking for in France, according to media reports. Like first the “Picture“ reported, the cup winner agrees with Loïs Openda from RC Lens. According to the Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri The 23-year-old center forward is to receive a five-year contract from “RMC Sport”.
Rumor: Loïs Openda to RB Leipzig
The transfer fee is 30 million euros, but final talks between the clubs should still be ongoing. With the sum, Openda would become the most expensive transfer in RB history. transfer experts Fabrizio Romano writes that Leipzig wants to forestall Italian clubs with an early deal. Openda was also recently linked to Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt as well as clubs from England in the rumor mill.
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The Belgium international scored 21 goals in 38 games last Ligue 1 season, making him the third-best scorer in France’s top flight. Just a year ago, Openda switched from FC Brugge to Lens for €9.8 million, which, like Leipzig, was able to qualify for the Champions League as a surprising second in the table.
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RB Leipzig bring in a “very versatile player” in Openda
“Openda is a very versatile player who, despite being only 1.77 meters tall, is a threat with both his foot and his head. His style of play goes very well with RC Lens’ tactics, as he is very dynamic and has a good speed that allows him to initiate counterattacks and not just wait for passes,” describes Ronan Caroff, Area Manager France at Transfermarkt. With regard to the designated RB access, Caroff also points out: “He sometimes struggled and didn’t meet for a long time. Then in the spring he made his big breakthrough and since March he has scored twelve of his 21 goals.”
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Nkunku is set to play for Chelsea next season, but the London club’s official confirmation is still missing. According to reports, Leipzig will receive a transfer fee of 60 million euros and thus make a handsome profit, because the French national player switched from Paris Saint-Germain to Leipzig in 2019 for 13 million euros.
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