Aston Villa may look to sign 27-cap Belgian international Lois Openda from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window.

According to an update by reputed Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Lois Openda is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The Villans are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a striker in the summer transfer window. So, the 25-year-old RB Leipzig centre-forward has emerged as a target for the West Midlands outfit.

The rising Premier League giants have been in contact with the Bundesliga club and the Liege native “for several months now”. Tavolieri has also suggested that there is “mutual interest” between the parties. However, Aston Villa must sell Ollie Watkins before signing an attacking player amid concerns about flouting the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Lois Openda and his Bundesliga journey so far

Lois Openda has established himself as one of the most promising strikers in the Bundesliga since joining RB Leipzig from RC Lens in July 2023. The 25-year-old hit the ground running at the Red Bull Arena, and he has been a first-choice starter for Die Roten Bullen in the last two years.

The 27-cap Belgian international was not as influential as he could have been in the 2024/25 season, but he still managed to contribute to 24 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions by finding the back of the net 13 times and providing 11 assists. Meanwhile, Openda’s progress has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, with Aston Villa among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.

Premier League move on the horizon?

Aston Villa’s interest in Lois Openda is understandable. The Villans are scouring the market for a striker this summer amid uncertainties surrounding Ollie Watkins’s long-term future. The English international has emerged as a target for several Premier League bigwigs, and Aston Villa may face a tall order to keep him at Villa Park.

While recent reports have claimed that Aston Villa will not entertain bids to part ways with Watkins, they have kept their options open. The process of exploring the market has led the West Midlands outfit to RB Leipzig, with Openda emerging as a viable target.

The Villans have contacted the Bundesliga club and the 25-year-old striker, and there is “mutual interest” between the parties. However, Aston Villa may face stiff competition for the 27-cap Belgian international, with recent reports linking him with Newcastle United. In addition, the West Midlands outfit cannot land an offensive target without selling Watkins amid mouting PSR concerns.