Arsenal is considering using Lois Openda as a backup for Gabriel Jesus next season
Lois Openda, a center-forward for Lens who recently transferred from Club Brugge to Ligue 1, is reportedly the subject of interest from Arsenal, according to the Daily Mail cover. In the competition to sign the striker, who has made 32 league appearances this season and has 17 goals and three assists, the Gunners are joined by Unai Emery and Aston Villa. The 23-year-old has helped Lens move up to third place in the standings and given them a chance to qualify for the Champions League.
However, ironically, while that has drawn attention in the Premier League, it may also present the biggest barrier to a transfer. According to reports, Lens will be eager to keep Openda for their European campaign if they do manage to qualify for the Champions League. In the end, Arsenal would have to spend more to persuade the two to part ways.
With six games remaining, it is likely that Lens will at the very least qualify for the Champions League. Currently, France only has two guaranteed Champions League spots, with one more spot available via qualifying, due to their recent overall underperformance in Europe. In that qualifying berth, Lens are third, five points clear of Monaco in fourth and one point adrift of second-place Marseille.
However, you’d think Lens’ standing on Openda would be about the same in either case, second or third. They’ll be in a better position to retain their finest players if they have Champions League football and the associated cash guaranteed. They’ll want to maintain their finest players if they’ve just promised a qualifying in order to win it.
Mikel Arteta at Arsenal has a wide range of alternatives up front, including Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, and Folarin Balogun. Nevertheless, this summer might see one or two departures, with Balogun being the most likely to do so. The possibility exists that the Gunners are actually hunting for a replacement.
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