Following weeks of talks with Paris Saint-Germain about the return of Kolo Muani, a potential deal was scuppered by Tottenham Hotspur.
Muani, who bagged eight goals in 16 Serie A games last term for the Bianconeri, has moved from the French champions to the Premier League on a season-long loan.
The 26-year-old was on the cusp of joining Tottenham during the winter transfer window, with Juventus swooping when that deal collapsed.
Although Muani made an instant impact under the then head coach Thiago Motta, he slipped down the pecking order when Motta was replaced by Igor Tudor until Dusan Vlahovic sustained an injury.
Despite failing to impress in matches outside the Italian top tier, Juventus pushed to sign Muani into what became a saga with the cash-rich Ligue 1 outfit while he was linked with a cluster of Premier League clubs.
Comolli on the ball to sign Muani back-up
Juventus general manager Damien Comolli swiftly wrapped up his second choice center forward to bring in Lois Openda, who had long been on the club’s summer wishlist.
He arrives on loan for €3.3 million (US$3.8m), with a potential permanent acquisition for €40.6m (US$47.5m).
Belgium international Openda is an unorthodox yet effective striker who is versatile, as he can play as center-forward, a second striker or on either wing.
The 25-year-old kicked off his career with Club Brugge in Belgium. He found his scoring boots during his two seasons at Dutch Eredivisie club Vitesse, with 28 goals from 66 league appearances.
Openda’s prolific strike rate secured a five-year contract with French outfit Lens in July 2022.
Ligue 1 record-breaker Openda
Following an eight-game scoring drought, Openda burst back onto the scene by scoring the fastest-ever Ligue 1 hat-trick. He found the back of the net three times in four minutes and 30 seconds during Lens’ 4-0 victory at Clermont in March 2023.
Lens finished Ligue 1 runner-up to PSG, with Openda’s league tally of 21 goals enough to tempt RB Leipzig to sign him for €38m (US$44.5m) in 2023.
He netted 24 goals in his maiden Bundlesliga season. Openda surprisingly only found the back of the net nine times in the German top tier last term, although he did provide eight goal assists.
The Juventus official website reported: “His energy, enthusiasm and technical qualities will now be at the service of Juventus, in a new adventure that Openda is embarking on with determination and a desire to win.”