Liverpool to battle Newcastle for Harry Kane's golden boot rival

Updated: 4 Dec 2023 15:28 GMT
3 min read

Liverpool and Newcastle are 'positioning themselves' to sign Lois Openda, according to Belgian media.

The RB Leipzig striker has hit like a bomb in the Bundesliga after arriving from Ligue 1 runners-up RC Lens for €38.5 million in the summer. With 10 goals in 13 Bundesliga outings and having scored three times against Man City in the Champions League this season, the Belgian is already attracting high-profile attention.

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Openda has formed one of the Bundesliga's deadliest duos with PSG loanee Xavi Simons and his goalscoring exploits, notching another at the weekend, have seen him enter the conversation for the league's golden boot, though he is still some way short of the top two of Harry Kane and Man Utd-linked Serhou Guirassy.

Moreover, the 23-year-old currently occupies a top 10 spot in the European Golden Shoe race, which is also being led by Kane and Guirassy. His form since joining Leipzig has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (eTV) skyrocket in recent months, now peaking at close to €47m.

Openda was reportedly eyed by Arsenal prior to his move to Saxony, but now Liverpool and Newcastle are hot on his trail.

Openda to move in 2024?

That's at least according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who reports that these two Premier League heavyweights are 'positioning themselves' to sign the scoring sensation.

A January move seems unlikely at this stage, but a summer transfer is a distinct possibility even though Leipzig will likely try to keep him until 2025 when an €80m release clause in his contract becomes active. However, Openda already showed at Lens that he is not afraid to force through a move.

According to data experts SciSports, Jurgen Klopp's Reds would be a decent fit for the striker as they play a system that is well suited to Openda's skill set. His best option, however, would actually be Real Madrid and there is a decent argument to be made that he could be a cheaper Erling Haaland alternative for Los Blancos.