Everton launch Lois Openda approach after Lyon transfer twist
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Published Jul 23, 2026, 12:40 PM GMT+1
Tom is a football journalist with five years of experience. He has been featured in the Non-League Paper, Crawley Observer, Sussex Express and The RedmenTV - producing features, news and conducting interviews.
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Everton have already received a boost in the race to sign Lois Openda from Juventus this summer.
The Toffees have already welcomed Hayden Hackney and Tyrique George, but still have plenty of work to do ahead of next season.
Openda is certainly an impressive target on that front, with Lyon and Fulham joining the Merseyside club in pursuit of the forward who desperately needs a move away from Turin.
Who should sign Lois Openda?
Everton
David Moyes has already welcomed one attacker in George, but he still needs someone at the peak of their powers. At 26 years old, Openda is exactly that. Although the Belgian endured a disappointing campaign at Juventus, Everton should look back at his RB Leipzig form to justify their pursuit this summer.
Lyon
Those in France have always been aware of a potential hijack from the Premier League and they'll be incredibly frustrated to see that fear come true. They were hoping to welcome an attacking star who could take them into a title race next season, but cannot compete financially with Everton and Fulham.
Fulham
Like Everton, Fulham need a striker this summer. The Cottagers lost Raul Jimenez and Marco Silva at the end of last season and have already replaced the latter with Alvaro Arbeloa. Now, they're looking to replace the former with Juventus' struggling forward Openda.
Openda can lead the line and play out wide, handing clubs key versatility. If Everton win the race for his signature, however, he's likely to arrive as an out-and-out striker following the struggles of Thierno Barry and Beto.
The former particularly struggled to get going at his new club and could find himself replaced if the Toffees complete their hijack on Lyon to sign an instant upgrade.
It's left Lyon on red-alert, who have been forced to watch on as their 'hijack' fears come true. Indeed, the French side have been trying to get a deal done for weeks but could be sent back to square one.
REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
The Toffees, meanwhile, are in a stronger financial position to land the forward's signature and could even get one over on Premier League rivals Fulham in the process.
Stats comparison
Openda 24/25
Beto 25/26
Thierno Barry 25/26
Minutes
2,463
1,563
1,915
Goals
9
9
8
Assists
5
1
XG
9.12
8.8
8.11
In terms of output, it's best to look at Openda's final season in the Bundesliga. It was then that he started every week before playing just over 600 league minutes at Juventus.
The Belgian is someone who is more than a goalscorer, bringing others into play, and that would add another dimension to Moyes' attack. Given that Juventus welcomed the forward in a deal worth around £34m just 12 months ago, though, the deal is unlikely to come cheap.
1 week ago
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REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli
REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
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