Gio Reyna has been limited to 14 appearances in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund this season, and only two of them have come from the start.
As the 2024 Copa América at home approaches, it’s clear that something has to give for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.
A link with Real Sociedad, who joined Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16, was an intriguing option for a player of undeniable talent.
However, it turns out that Reyna will follow in her father Claudio’s footsteps by appearing in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest are close to securing the signing of the USMNT star, initially on loan until the end of the season but with the option to make the move permanent. He could make his debut as soon as Sunday’s league game at Bournemouth, and Forest fans will be hoping he can get off to a good start given their team’s battle against relegation – they are just two points off the bottom three in the table. after 22 games.
Why is Gio Reyna signing for Nottingham Forest?
On 24 January, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted on X to claim that Reyna had decided on relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest as his next destination. A week later, Romano reported that Reyna was on her way to England for medical tests.
Forest will cover Reyna’s weekly salary of £41,137 (€48,077/$52,321, according to capology) during his loan until the end of the season. It is unclear at this time if the deal contains a purchase option, but The Athletic He stated that such a clause was discussed between Forest and Dortmund.
?? Gio Reyna to Nottingham Forest, here we come! Agreement sealed with Borussia Dortmund on loan.#NFFC to cover Reyna’s salary until June.
Nuno was pushing to sign him and now also negotiate with his agent Jorge Mendes.
Medical tests were also reserved. ?? pic.twitter.com/PPnMgvX3Hf
—Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2024
The appeal of bringing in an established international with his best years still ahead of him is obvious for Forest, who are two points above the relegation zone after Nuno Espirito Santo succeeded the popular Steve Cooper as head coach.
However, Forest’s off-field context makes this transfer slightly baffling. The Midlands club, along with Everton, were accused of breaching the Premier League’s sustainability and profits rules in January.
Forest’s case will now be heard by an independent commission. Going through the same process and facing similar charges, Everton were docked 10 points due to their performance last season.
Reyna’s move, along with a mooted raid for Sporting CP teenager Rodrigo Ribeiro and a new goalkeeper, suggest that Forest are either very confident in their case regarding mitigation or feel an urgent need to move away from the relegation zone to comply with any possible point deduction is debatable.
A 2-1 home defeat to title-chasing Arsenal on January 30 left Forest in 16th place, precariously positioned just a couple of places above the last relegation spot. By the way, Everton currently occupies it.
Ronaldo’s former agent key to Reyna’s Forest transfer
Agents and their network of contacts hold the key to most transfers, but rarely more openly than in this case.
As reported by Transfer marketReyna left the Wasserman agency to join Gestifute, the company led by super agent Jorge Mendes, in January.
Mendes considered Cristiano Ronaldo the most lucrative name on his books before the pair ended their long-term partnership in 2023, but he also has the attention of Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
His influence at the City Ground has only increased since Cooper was replaced as head coach by Nuno, a long-time client of Mendes.
Where will Gio Reyna play at Nottingham Forest?
We have to assume that Mendes’ influence on this deal has been considerable because Forest does not appear to have an immediate need in the attacking midfield positions where Reyna thrives.
The search for a goalkeeper is understandable given the struggles of Reyna’s USMNT colleague Matt Turner, but some of Forest’s best players, especially since Nuno took over, have excelled in the attacking trident behind top scorer Chris Wood. .
Morgan Gibbs-White plays in the number 10 position and the former England Under-21 star has been Forest’s most effective player since their return to the Premier League last season.
On the flanks, former Chelsea standout Callum Hudson-Odoi and former Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga have proven to be shrewd acquisitions.
Versatile Argentine midfielder Nicolás Domínguez also chipped in with some impressive performances and joined Gibbs-White on the scoresheet in December’s 2-1 win over Manchester United.
Forest have lost consecutive games since then and the hope will be that Reyna’s star quality can lift Nuno’s team once again, even if it is not immediately clear where he fits or how he will be paid.
Jorge Mendes tends to find a way.
