Why Everton are suddenly 'serious contenders' to sign Lois Openda with personal terms no issue

Everton are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Juventus centre-forward Lois Openda.

David Moyes is yet to add a new face to his attacker options this summer despite largely underwhelming campaigns for both Beto and Thierno Barry last time out.

Openda, 26, is a man in demand despite scoring only two goals in all competitions for Juventus last season.

And news out of France now suggests that Everton are looking at gatecrashing Lyon's efforts to sign the Belgium international.

The Blues and Les Gones aren't the only teams in the hunt to sign Openda this summer, despite his goal-shy campaign at Juventus.

But the Toffees do have a strong advantage over their Ligue 1 counterparts when it comes to bidding for the Belgian.

Why Everton can beat Lyon to Lois Openda

According to French news outlet Jeunes Footeux, Lyon have been "making process" in their efforts to take the former RC Lens striker back to Ligue 1.

However, while Coventry are also keen on him, it is understood that Eveton and Fulham are "serious contenders" to strike a deal.

What puts the two Premier League clubs in contention is, according to this report, their "freater financial clout and media exposure".

Everton are said to be capable of offering a "more compelling financial deal", in terms of both the transfer fee for Juventus and the personal terms they can offer Openda.

And his current situation in Turin suggests why a potential move this summer is gathering pace.

Why Juventus are now ready to sanction Lois Openda exit

Juventus seem to be happy with this because they can sit and allow clubs to continue registering their interest in the ex-RB Leipzig man so that they drive his price up more and more.

Lyon face losing control of the situation and therefore missing out on signing Openda, which would open the door to a move to Everton.

However, the question begs - why do Everton even want him?

Openda played 37 times in all competitions for Juventus last season and scored just two goals; one against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League and another against Dan Friedkin's Roma in Serie A.

In the last 11 matches of the league season, he played just once - and even that was a four-minute cameo against Bologna.

It's fair to say Openda didn't get given much of a shot at Juventus last term. However, it's equally fair to say that he probably didn't do enough in his time on the pitch to earn more minutes.

Everton should really let this one slide.