Arsenal set sight on Lens striker Lois Openda

Lens striker Lois Openda

Arsenal set sight on Lens striker Lois Openda

Stephen Oladehinde 16:10 - 27.04.2023

Lois Openda, a striker for Lens who has dominated Ligue 1 with Franck Haise's team this season, is supposedly the target of an Arsenal summer transfer.

The 23-year-old joined the French club Lens during the summer transfer window after leaving Club Brugge, and he has excelled as Lens has risen to the top of the standings.

Openda has scored  17 goals in Ligue 1 this season and has been the driving seat for Lens as they sit third on the league table and push for Champions League football next season.

The Lens striker has now drawn interest from the likes of Arsenal as they are looking to bolster their striking option next season. 

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Big clubs are gunning for Opeda signature

Openda joined Lens on a five-year contract last summer which leaves Lens in full control of either keeping him or selling him. 

However, a good offer from the Gunners might tempt Lens to cash in on the player but with Champions League football for them next season they will be looking to keep their in-form striker.

Aston Villa, led by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, are also looking to hire the striker’s services, and hoping they can convince Lens to sell.

Openda joined Lens last summer for apparently as little as €10 million (£8.8 million), and if they are to sell their top striker, they will be looking to make a handsome profit on him.

Arsenal have attacking options

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has plenty of attacking options in his ranks right now with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Leandro Trossard who they acquired in the January transfer window.

Arsenal also have loanee Folarin Balogun who has been performing tremendously in Ligue 1 since joining Reims, netting 18 goals in 31 games so far.

The England Under-21 international has gained a lot of attention from clubs across Europe due to his performance this season with the likes of AC Milan, Marseille and other clubs monitoring his progress.

The 21-year-old Balogun is under contract with Arsenal until 2025, but the Gunners are reportedly willing to sell if they get a good bid for him. Balogun’s move might pave the way for Arsenal to sign Openda.