​RC Lens are reportedly prepared to bid to bring back former forward Lois Openda (26) as they plot a return to the UEFA Champions League, according to Foot Mercato. Openda’s time in Turin proved disappointing, with 2 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions. Since leaving Lens in 2023 for €40 million, he has produced 41 goals in 93 matches for RB Leipzig. By contrast, during the season Lens finished just a point behind champions Paris Saint-Germain, Openda struck 21 times in 42 games, underscoring the kind of form that helped propel his old club toward Europe’s premier club competition.
Although his prolific spell at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis helped Lens qualify for the Champions League, Openda did not remain with the club for their subsequent European campaign. The Belgium international could opt to stay this time if a deal can be reached. Lens’ sporting director, Jean-Louis Leca, is reportedly making a strong push to re-sign him, with Foot Mercato noting the club’s intent. However, a major hurdle remains: Openda’s salary. Any deal would likely require Juventus to contribute at least a portion of his wages.
Competition for the forward’s signature is also heating up. Newly promoted Premier League side Coventry City are among those weighing a move, signaling that Lens will face multiple suitors if they pursue a reunion with the Belgian striker. The pursuit illustrates the intricate balance clubs must strike between bolstering their attacking options and managing costly wage bills, especially for a player who has demonstrated goal-scoring upside but also carries significant salary demands that could complicate negotiations.
As Lens consider their options, fans will be watching to see whether the lure of European football and the chance to play alongside familiar teammates can persuade Openda to return to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. If Lens can bridge the financial gap and find a workable agreement on wages, the former Lens star could rejoin the ranks in time to help the club mount another charge for a Champions League place. Whether Leca’s persistence pays off remains to be seen, but the club’s intent is clear: they want Openda back in Lens blue, and they want him back in Europe’s elite competition.