Goal-hungry Leipzig marksman Openda destined for the top

Lois Openda's thirst for goals ensures he never stays in one place for too long. 

The 23-year-old is already well-travelled despite his tender years and now his form for RB Leipzig is attracting the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Ahead of his side's clash with Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen this evening, we take a look at Openda's career journey so far and where it seems to be headed next.

Leipzig move

Since signing for RB Leipzig last July, Openda has bagged an impressive 15 goals in 26 appearances. 

After a slow start breaking through from Club Brugge's academy, a loan move to Vitesse saw him become one of the top strikers in the Eredivisie and prompted a transfer to French outfit Lens. 

Openda scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season, which opened the door for another move as Leipzig lured him to Germany. 

The Belgium international viewed the Bundesliga as the ideal place to continue his development.

He told reporters this week: "RB Leipzig was the perfect team for me to progress. 

"If you look how they play the game, how they defend, how they attack, how the playing style is, it has a good connection with me as a player, with my profile. 

"I want to be a top player. I want to play for the best team in the world, I hope. 

"The move to Leipzig can help me to do that." 

Striker idol

Former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez compared Openda to Jamie Vardy due to his pace, work-rate and willingness to run the channels. 

Yet in the Bundesliga, the 5ft 10in striker has drawn comparisons with Robert Lewandowski thanks to the variety of his finishing techniques.

But Openda has confessed as a youngster, he idolised a very different style of forward. 

He said: "When I was young I'd say [Didier] Drogba was my idol, looking at all the games when he was playing for Chelsea. Also the national team. 

"How he scored goals, how he'd protect the ball, also give assists. 

"The impact he gave the team was so crazy and I was always looking at Drogba, wanting to one day play like him. To one day be a top striker like him. 

"Now I think I can do something good. I learned from him when I was young. Now I also have to learn from myself, because I'm a professional football player. 

"I can learn from my actions. What I did good, what I did wrong and change some things to be better, for sure."

English interest

Though still in his early 20s, Openda has already played in four different countries and views the disruption as a mere occupational hazard on his journey to the top. 

He said: "Leaving every two years is not the best. 

"It's never easy but sometimes when you have the opportunity to go to a better club to perform, I think you have to do it." 

Openda's deadly form for Leipzig suggests his spell in Germany could be another brief one. 

Premier League clubs are circling, with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all reported to be interested. 

An ability to keep on scoring at new clubs in different countries is a very positive one for a striker and it is a test that Openda keeps on passing with flying colours.