'Completely understandable' - USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter speaks on Gio Reyna's potential Borussia Dortmund departure as transfer rumors swirl

Having struggled for game time so far this season, Reyna has been linked with a departure from Dortmund, with several clubs all over Europe listed among those interested. The return of Jadon Sancho has seemingly hastened the U.S. men's national team star's departure with the English winger adding yet another dynamic option to an already-loaded Dortmund attack.

Reyna recently joined Polaris Sports, a marketing agency founded and run by Cristiano Ronaldo's former super agent, Jorge Mendes, as rumors of a potential move heat up. Berhalter, like everyone following American soccer, is keeping up with those rumors as we head into the final days of the January window.

"I think that any professional who's competitive wants to be on the field," Berhalter said in Friday's press conference, "and this is a case where Gio hasn't been getting the game time that he wants and is potentially looking for alternate options. That's completely understandable. You've seen in our player pool throughout these years that that's a pretty common reaction. We support him in his quest to get on the field regularly and we're looking forward to the outcome of that."

While Reyna's club future remains somewhat uncertain, he only strengthened his spot within the USMNT during the final months of 2023, having spent the first half of the year dealing with the chaotic fallout from the 2022 World Cup. Reyna was very, very good in Berhalter's first matches in charge of the USMNT, scoring twice against Ghana in a 4-0 win before adding another goal against Trinidad & Tobago in November.

Reyna had previously featured primarily as a winger but, with Tyler Adams out of the XI, he has been tested as a No.10 with great results so far. His future position remains to be seen but, as things stand, the 21-year-old youngster will simply be looking to get consistent minutes on the field at whatever club he winds up at.

Currently sitting fifth in the Bundesliga, Dortmund are set to visit Koln on Saturday in what may or may not be one of Reyna's final games for the club. Berhalter and the USMNT, meanwhile, are gearing up for their annual January camp friendly, which will see them face Slovenia on Saturday.