RB Leipzig sign RC Lens striker Lois Openda

After a long-drawn-out negotiation process, RB Leipzig have finally announced the signing of RC Lens striker Lois Openda.

The transfer rigmarole between both clubs saw up to four bids from Leipzig rejected by Lens, but both sides finally agreed on a fee of around €45 million.

Openda’s deal forced Leipzig to smash their all-time transfer record as the Belgian becomes the most expensive signing in the club’s history, eclipsing the €36m paid to sign Dominik Szoboszlai in 2021.

The 23-year-old striker has signed a five-year contract which will keep him at the Red Bull Arena until 2028.

“I’m very happy to be able to play for RB Leipzig with immediate effect,” Openda said after putting pen to paper.

“The club is one of the best in the Bundesliga, plays regularly in the Champions League and has recently won the cup twice in a row. It’s an incredibly exciting club, and I want to take the next steps in Leipzig.”

Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl added: “Lois plays very straight and always with a move to the goal, whether as a central striker or over the wings. 

“In addition to his speed, his variability in the end is an enormous quality because he can score goals with the right, left or by head.

“In addition, with his only 23 years, he still has a lot of development potential and will become even stronger with us in the coming years.”

Openda will replace Christopher Nkunku, who completed a big-money move to Chelsea last month.

The Belgium international striker was a key player for Lens last season, spurring them to a second-place Ligue 1 finish with 21 goals in 38 league games.

Leipzig will hope he can replicate his imperious form in Germany, with the club looking to build on an impressive campaign, where they finished fourth in the Bundesliga and retained their DFB Pokal crown.