Nottingham Forest join Coventry City in race for Juventus striker Lois Openda

Nottingham Forest have reportedly entered the race to sign Juventus forward Lois Openda, joining Coventry City in pursuing a loan move for the Belgian striker this summer.

The 26-year-old endured a disappointing first season in Turin and is expected to leave Juventus despite the club completing his permanent transfer only recently.

According to reports in Italy, Juventus are actively exploring solutions for Openda's future, with several clubs now monitoring the situation.

Openda initially arrived at Juventus on loan from RB Leipzig during the summer of 2025.

The agreement included a conditional obligation to buy, which was triggered after Juventus secured a top-ten finish in Serie A. As a result, the Italian giants completed a permanent deal reportedly worth around €40m.

However, the move has not worked out as planned.

The Belgium international managed just one goal throughout the campaign and struggled to convince manager Luciano Spalletti, who regularly preferred alternative attacking options.

Reports suggest Juventus' stance has not changed despite executive changes behind the scenes. New chief executive Giovanni Carnevali is said to be open to sanctioning a departure as the club looks to minimise its losses.

Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reports that both Nottingham Forest and Coventry City are interested in bringing Openda to England.

At this stage, both clubs are believed to favour a loan arrangement rather than a permanent transfer.

That suits Juventus to an extent, although the Serie A side would reportedly prefer a solution that offers greater financial returns.

Interest is also emerging from elsewhere in Europe, with Monaco among the clubs keeping track of developments.

Having followed Nottingham Forest's recruitment strategy over recent transfer windows, the club have shown a willingness to target players with proven experience in major European leagues. Openda's record before joining Juventus would certainly fit that profile.

A switch to either Nottingham Forest or Coventry City would represent a fresh challenge.

However, there is also an argument that returning to a league where he has previously excelled could offer a more predictable route back to his best form.

Much will depend on Openda's priorities. Regular football is likely to be the most important factor after a frustrating campaign spent largely on the fringes at Juventus.

Juventus are expected to continue assessing the market before making a final decision on Openda's future. While loan interest is increasing, the Italian club remain hopeful that stronger financial proposals could emerge later in the transfer window.

For Nottingham Forest and Coventry City, the coming weeks may determine whether they are prepared to formalise their interest and compete with clubs from elsewhere in Europe for the striker's signature.

Would Lois Openda be a smart gamble for Nottingham Forest, or should the club target a striker with a stronger recent scoring record?