The Belgium international arrived at the Allianz Stadium in 2025 for €44 million and was one of the signings expected to define Juventus's rebuilt attack. Instead, he has become the transfer window's biggest headache, with new sporting director Giovanni Carnevali tasked with finding a solution.
Openda's last goal for Juventus came against Roma in December, a close-range finish that settled that game. Since then he has slipped down the pecking order under Luciano Spalletti managing just two goals in 37 appearances this season.
In Juventus's last 11 matches, he has played a total of four minutes.
His salary of €4 million net per year, combined with the size of the fee still on Juventus's books following the buy-out clause triggered with RB Leipzig, makes an outright sale almost impossible this summer.
A loan, potentially with a conditional option or obligation to buy, is seen as the most realistic route out of Turin.
Before his move to Italy, Openda's numbers told a different story. He scored 107 goals in the early years of his career, a return that placed him sixth for goal output among strikers born after 2000.
His struggles in Serie A have been put down to a mix of difficulties settling in, character issues, and a playing style that has not suited Spalletti's system.
Three of the four clubs interested in Openda play in Ligue 1, the division where he first made his name. He scored 21 goals in 42 matches for Lens during the 2022–23 season, helping the club finish second behind Paris Saint-Germain.
Lens, who again finished behind PSG this season and have qualified for next season's Champions League, are among the sides to have shown interest. Lyon, managed by Paulo Fonseca and currently involved in the play-offs for Champions League qualification, are also considering a move.
Rennes, who will play in next season's Europa League, complete the trio of Ligue 1 clubs monitoring his situation.
Coventry City, newly promoted to the Premier League and searching for attacking reinforcements, have also joined the race for the 26-year-old.
Openda has spent this summer in Vilamoura, in Portugal's Algarve region, training daily with a private fitness group in an effort to arrive at pre-season in peak condition.
Juventus will hope that dedication, combined with fresh interest from clubs where he has previously thrived, gives Openda the platform to rebuild his career away from Turin.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, suitors are counting on his determination to prove himself again as talks over a departure continue this summer.