Juventus forward Ikoma-Loïs Openda enters the 2025-26 close season as one of the more uncomfortable figures at the Continassa: present in Luciano Spalletti's 29-man pre-season squad, yet firmly in the category of players whose futures remain unresolved as the bianconeri reshape their attack.
The numbers from his campaign tell a story of marginalisation rather than failure. In 24 Serie A appearances, Openda contributed one goal and zero assists, averaging a rating of 6.50 — functional, rarely decisive. For a forward whose AI overall sits at 60 out of 100, with a projected ceiling of 72, the gap between current output and potential is not a crisis, but it is a question Spalletti's staff cannot ignore indefinitely. Juventus finished sixth with 68 points from 37 matches, a return of 59 goals for the season. Openda's share of that attacking production was minimal.
The context around him is turbulent. Spalletti is actively pursuing reinforcements in attack, with multiple striker profiles under consideration at the club. Jonathan David, another forward on Juventus's books, is being moved on — reportedly more drawn to a move to Paris FC than to Trabzonspor. The broader picture is of a squad in transition, with Juventus's new sporting leadership publicly committed to building something more coherent. In that environment, a 26-year-old forward carrying one league goal does not hold a strong negotiating position.
Openda's inclusion in the pre-season group at least confirms he has not been formally excluded. Spalletti, who has shown willingness to rebuild players within his systems, may see the potential-72 ceiling as worth pursuing. But the Belgian's 2024-25 season offered little evidence that the gap between current and ceiling is closing at the rate Juventus need.
At 26, Openda is neither young enough to be patient nor old enough to be written off. The summer will determine whether Spalletti views him as a project worth continuing or a line item to be resolved before the window closes.