Man Utd and Liverpool to fight over €80m ex-Eredivisie star

Imre Himmelbauer

Updated: 6 Oct 2023 17:48 BST
4 min read

Lois Openda, Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig — © ProShots

In addition to Manchester United, Liverpool are also interested in the services of Loïs Openda, reports Christian Falk of BILD.

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The attacker swapped Ligue 1 runners-up RC Lens for RB Leipzig in the summer, with the latter paying €38.5 million excluding bonuses for the 23-year-old Belgian. However, his stay in Germany could be short-lived as an adventure in the Premier League beckons.

Sky Deutschland recently revealed that Openda has a release clause in his contract amounting to between €80m-90m. That message is endorsed by Falk, although the journalist emphasises that the clause will not take effect until 2025.

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As a result, Leipzig are still "somewhat relaxed" regarding the possible departure of the striker, who has started his employment in Leipzig well. In his first ten games, Openda scored five times and assisted two goals.

Premier League battle

Sacha Tavolieri revealed earlier this week that Openda, who played for Vitesse on loan between 2020 and 2022, is of interest to Erik ten Hag's Manchester United.

However, Falk says he is 'sure' that Liverpool are also keeping an eye on the eleven-time international who has two goals for Belgium.

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"You have already seen," Falk said, "with Dominik Szoboszlai that Liverpool have predominantly positive experiences with players from RB Leipzig. In addition, there are similarities in the playing styles of the two clubs, which is of course advantageous for Liverpool."

In the years before Szoboszlai's transfer, Liverpool also poached Naby Keïta and Ibrahima Konaté from die Roten Bullen. They cost the club €60m and €40m, respectively.

Konaté still plays for Liverpool and is performing well, while Keïta moved to Werder Bremen on a free transfer last summer after five disappointing years at Anfield.

Openda has formed a spectacular attacking partnership at Leipzig with fellow ex-Eredivisie man Xavi Simons, who is also being courted by Europe's elite with Man City and Barcelona interested in the PSG loanee.