RB Leipzig tidies up squad: Openda before transfer to Turin

The departure of striker Loïs Openda from RB Leipzig is getting closer. The Belgian international is said to have been cleared for negotiations with Juventus Turin and is already on his way to Italy. As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and Sky report, the clubs have agreed on a loan with an option to buy at a later date. The total package is said to be well over 40 million euros.

Openda only came to Leipzig two years ago from RC Lens for a transfer fee of €40 million and has a contract until June 30, 2028. After a strong opening season with 28 goals, the 25-year-old fell well short of expectations last season with just 13 goals in competitive matches.

Elmas and Geertruida also on the move

In addition to Openda, permanent loan player Eljif Elmas, who is likely to return to SSC Napoli, and Lutsharel Geertruida, who is close to agreeing a deal with AFC Sunderland, are also on the move. The 25-year-old Dutchman only joined RB last summer and is under contract until June 30, 2029, but has not really been able to assert himself at right-back.

In exchange, Danish center forward Conrad Harder was signed from Sporting Lisbon shortly before the transfer deadline. The 20-year-old scored 13 goals last season and also scored once in the Champions League.