Transfer Talk: Reyna can reignite career with City Ground switch

Giovanni Reyna is on Nottingham Forest's radar.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has fallen out of favour under manager Edin Terzic and looks set to leave on loan this month.

Having proven himself in the Bundesliga and on the international stage with the USA, it is no surprise that Forest are interested in BVB's No7.

As Nuno Espirito Santo's side prepare to face Arsenal this evening, we consider what Reyna would bring to the City Ground.

Wanted man

Forest are not alone in their pursuit of Reyna.

Ligue 1 side Marseille are also interested and have reportedly reached an agreement with Dortmund over a loan deal.

That means Reyna potentially has two options, so Forest will hope he favours a move to the Premier League.

Still only 21, there is no doubt that the Sunderland native could be a shrewd addition if he can rediscover the form that made him such an exciting prospect at the Westfalenstadion.

His progress may have slowed of late but he scored seven goals in all competitions as recently as 2020-21 — emerging as one of the most promising teenagers in Europe.

Reyna could reportedly be available for a fee of around £12.8million at the end of any loan deal, with his contract at Dortmund set to expire in June next year.

If Forest can get the best out of the American, that would be considered a bargain.

Dortmund cameos

Reyna has started just once for Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season, making a further 10 appearances as a substitute.

But the attacking midfielder has still shown glimpses of his quality, despite his limited game time.

Only Julian Brandt has created more chances per 90 minutes (3.3) than Reyna (2.32) for Die Borussen in 2023-24.

He also ranks first in BVB's squad for possessions won in the attacking third per 90 (1.99).

The 24-cap international is combative too — just two Dortmund players have made more tackles per 90 (2.99).

And he is technically excellent, averaging a team-high 22.58 completed passes into the final third per 90, while recording an overall pass completion rate of 86.63%.

Although the sample size is small, these numbers show that Reyna would bring genuine quality to a Forest side in need of extra creativity.

Forest opportunity

A move to Forest could be beneficial for Reyna, who has dipped slightly below the extremely high standards required to be a regular at Dortmund.

With Jadon Sancho's return and the form of players like Donyell Malen, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Brandt, there has been no obvious place in the team for the USMNT star.

He has also been hindered by injury, having been sidelined earlier in the campaign with a fibula issue.

Dortmund boss Terzic said: "His fitness levels have improved significantly and his abilities are well known.

"Of course, we'd like to play him on the wings more often, but his clear strengths lie in the 10 or eight slot. Even there, however, competition is fierce."

With starts likely to be more regular at Forest, Reyna might begin to return to the levels that made him such a highly-regarded young player.