Nottingham Forest Eyeing Move for €45m Juventus Forward | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Transfer News: Lois Openda Emerges as Intriguing Summer Target

Forest Eye Openda Opportunity

Nottingham Forest’s summer planning has taken an intriguing turn, with Gianluca Di Marzio credited for the original information linking the club with Juventus forward Lois Openda. For Forest supporters, this is the sort of rumour that carries both electricity and risk, a name of real pedigree attached to a player whose recent numbers tell a more awkward story.

Openda, now 26, appears to be available as Juventus prepare for a significant reshaping of their attack. Dusan Vlahovic is set to leave as a free agent on June 30 after failing to agree fresh terms, while Jonathan David, Openda and Eden Zhegrova are reportedly on the market. That creates movement, and movement creates opportunity.

Photo IMAGO

Forest are said to be among the clubs monitoring Openda, alongside Eintracht Frankfurt and AS Monaco. It is an interesting list, not least because each club would be selling the Belgian a different vision. Monaco can offer familiarity with Ligue 1, Frankfurt can offer a strong development platform, while Forest can offer the Premier League, intensity, status and a chance to become central to something ambitious.

Openda’s Juventus Struggles

There is no dressing up the disappointment of Openda’s spell at Juventus. After a huge €45m move from RB Leipzig, he scored only two goals in 34 games. For a forward whose value has long rested on speed, sharp movement and ruthless finishing, those numbers are stark.

Yet recruitment, at its best, is not simply about buying the player reflected in last season’s statistics. It is about identifying whether a poor campaign is evidence of decline, misfit or circumstance. Forest would need to decide which version of Openda they believe they are chasing.

At RB Leipzig, he was explosive, direct and dangerous in open grass. At Juventus, he looked less certain, less prominent, perhaps less naturally suited to the structure around him. That matters. Some forwards need space to attack, tempo to feed off and faith to settle into rhythm. Forest, if serious, must work out whether they can give him that.

Juventus Reshuffle Opens Door

Juventus’ interest in Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth adds context to Openda’s possible exit. According to Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Juve have started direct talks with Atletico Madrid striker Sorloth to discuss personal terms.

Sorloth, 30, scored 20 goals in 54 competitive games for Atletico Madrid this season after arriving from Villarreal for €32m in 2024. His contract runs until June 2028, but Juventus appear to see him as part of their next attacking shape.

That leaves Openda vulnerable. Football can be brutal in that way. One expensive move fails to ignite, another forward arrives, and suddenly a player with Champions League level attributes is searching for the next convincing chapter.

Forest Must Balance Risk and Reward

For Nottingham Forest, Openda would not be a safe, modest signing. He would be a statement, a gamble on talent, speed and revival. If Forest can negotiate from a position of patience, the deal could make sense. Juventus may need to move players on, and Openda may need a club willing to look beyond one poor return.

A potential move to Forest would ask a simple question. Is Openda the forward Juventus have struggled to unlock, or the dynamic attacker Europe admired before Turin dulled his edge? If Forest believe it is the latter, this may be one of the more fascinating transfer stories of their summer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Nottingham Forest fan’s perspective, this is exactly the kind of link that gets the imagination going, even if the sensible part of your brain immediately checks the numbers and winces. Two goals in 34 games is not the return anyone wants from a €45m striker. That cannot be ignored.

Still, Forest have to shop intelligently, and sometimes that means looking at players whose value has dropped because the fit was wrong. Openda has not become a bad footballer overnight. He is quick, aggressive, mobile and capable of stretching a defence in a way that changes how opponents set up. Forest have often needed that kind of threat, someone who can turn pressure into territory with one run.

The key question is price. If Juventus expect anything close to what they paid RB Leipzig, Forest should walk away. If this becomes a loan with an option, or a structured deal that protects the club, it becomes far more attractive.

Supporters will also want clarity on the plan. Is Openda coming as the main striker, as a wide forward, or as part of a rotating front line? Forest cannot afford expensive confusion. They need purpose.