RB Leipzig have refused to stand down in their pursuit of RC Lens striker Lois Openda with the Germans determined to land their primary target.
According to Foot Mercato reporter Santi Aouna, the Bundesliga side have returned with yet another bid for the Belgium international striker – one they hope will close the deal.
Leipzig have tabled a fresh proposal worth €43 million plus bonuses for Openda, and reports suggest the Germans expect a favourable outcome for the transfer this week.
Leipzig have already reached an agreement with Openda on personal terms, with the highly-rated striker committing to a five-year contract. All that remains is for both clubs to find common ground on a transfer fee.
Openda was a target for AC Milan earlier in the transfer window, but interest from the Rossoneri has waned in recent weeks following the departure of directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara.
Milan now have other targets to provide competition for veteran Olivier Giroud, who has reportedly refused to leave San Siro Stadium amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Leipzig now have no competition in the race to capture Openda’s signature, and they are hoping to wrap up the transfer in the coming weeks before moving on to other targets.
Openda played a prominent role in Lens’ remarkable campaign last season, spurring Franck Haise’s side to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 with 21 goals in 38 league appearances.
The hugely impressive Lens came desperately close to dethroning Paris Saint-Germain as Ligue 1 champions, but they faltered at the tail end of the season and finished one point adrift of Les Parisien.
They will fancy their chances of having another crack at the nearly impossible task next term, but they may have to fare without their star striker, who is poised to leave the club this summer.
Leipzig want Openda to replace Christopher Nkunku, who completed his long-awaited move to Chelsea last month.
