RB Leipzig have seen their opening offer to sign Lois Openda rejected by RC Lens, but they remain undeterred in their quest to land the lethal striker.
According to Sky Sport Germany journalist Phillip Hinze, Leipzig’s opening bid was worth €27 million plus an additional €5m in bonuses, but Lens have deemed that insufficient.
However, they are preparing another bid worth €30m in base fee plus €5m in bonus-related payments, which would be a new club record transfer for the Bundesliga club.
Leipzig have already agreed term with Openda’s representatives, so all that remains is to find common ground with Lens over a transfer fee.
The Ligue 1 runners-up are resigned to losing the Belgium international this summer but are unwilling to let him leave cheaply.
Openda was a pivotal part of Franck Haise’s squad that narrowly missed out on the Ligue 1 crown, finishing just one point behind 11-time champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old racked up 21 goals in 38 league games, finishing fourth in the Ligue 1 top scorers chart, with only Kylian Mbappe (29), Alexander Lacazzette (27) and Jonathan David (24) scoring more.
His prolific numbers in front of goal sparked interest from several European clubs, with AC Milan also keen, but Leipzig are leading the race as they look to replace the Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku.
Nkunku finished as the joint-top scorer in the German top-flight notching 16 goals – level with Werder Bremen’s Niclas Fullkrug – despite missing four months of action through injury.
The electrifying Frenchman is poised to join the Blues this summer, and Leipzig are keen to wrap up Openda’s transfer while they are still ahead in the race.
Milan were also hot on Openda’s heels, with the Rossoneri looking to reinforce their depleted striking department, especially with Divock Origi proving a flop since joining from Liverpool on a free transfer.
Former sporting director Frederic Massara was leading the chase for the former Club Brugge striker.
But Milan have halted their pursuit after the Italian was sacked by the Rossoneri’s new management.
