Leeds United have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to sign Lois Openda, the Belgian forward who has been deemed surplus to requirements at Juventus after a disappointing debut season in Serie A.

Openda joined the Bianconeri last summer in a deadline-day move from RB Leipzig, initially arriving on loan with an obligation to buy—a clause that was triggered once Juventus secured a top-10 finish in the Italian top flight. The total cost of the deal is set at €44 million, but the Italian giants are now eager to move on from the 26-year-old after a largely underwhelming campaign.

Despite being handed opportunities early in the season—particularly when star striker Dusan Vlahovic was sidelined with a serious injury—Openda managed just two goals in 37 appearances across all competitions. His lack of production has even cost him a spot in the national team, with Belgium manager Luciano Spalletti leaving him out of recent squads. In recent weeks, Openda has been an unused substitute, further signaling that his time in Turin is all but over.

With Juventus looking to offload the speedy attacker and free up space for new arrivals, the Premier League could provide an escape route. According to Football Insider journalist Pete O'Rourke, Leeds United are leading the chase for Openda, who is also attracting interest from newly-promoted Coventry City.

However, landing the Belgian won't come cheap. His hefty book value means any potential buyer will need to get creative. Reports suggest Leeds are likely to pursue an initial loan deal with an option or obligation to buy—a formula that Juventus are expected to be open to, as it would allow them to avoid registering a capital loss while still moving the forward off their books.

For Leeds, adding a player of Openda's pedigree—even after a tough season—could be a statement of intent as they look to strengthen their attacking options. Whether the Yorkshire club can strike a deal that works for all parties remains to be seen, but the pieces are certainly in place for a summer transfer saga.