Revealed: How USMNT star Gio Reyna could have avoided Premier League flop at Nottingham Forest if he had listened to transfer wishes of Borussia Dortmund

The United States international is still only 21 years of age, with time on his side when it comes to unlocking and delivering on full potential. He has, however, found the going tough of late – with a tumble down the pecking order in Germany leading to loan switch being sought in the winter transfer window of 2024.

According to ESPN, Dortmund were against sending Reyna to England – as were his former agency Wasserman Media Group – but the youngster’s father, ex-USMNT star Claudio, and new representative Jorge Mendes felt a move to Nottingham Forest made sense.

Reyna has struggled for game time at a club battling to avoid relegation, taking in just two Premier League starts, with Nuno Espirito Santo favouring alternative creative options. A source told ESPN of those issues: “He has been training well and is a lovely kid, but the team was in a tough cycle, fighting against relegation and the manager has prioritized playing players with Premier League experience already.”

Dortmund extended Reyna’s contract until 2026 before seeing him head to Nottingham, but their long-term plans for the playmaker are unclear. The announcement that Marco Reus will be leaving BVB in the summer, along with the expiration of Jadon Sancho’s loan, may work in Reyna’s favour but struggles for form and fitness are leaving more questions than answers.