There’s never a dull moment in the European transfer market, and this summer’s saga surrounding Giovanni Reyna is proof that the drama never stops—especially when a young American star is involved. After weeks of speculation, shifting negotiations, and more than a few raised eyebrows, it appears that Reyna is on the verge of swapping Borussia Dortmund’s famous yellow and black for the green and white of Borussia Monchengladbach. But how did we get here, and what does this move mean for everyone involved?
Let’s rewind. Parma, the storied Italian club with big ambitions, had set their sights on Reyna for several weeks. The USMNT midfielder, just 22 years old, was seen as the creative spark they needed to push their project forward. Yet, despite some intense negotiations, the two sides couldn’t find common ground. According to multiple sources, including transfer experts Sacha Tavolieri, Gianluca Di Marzio, and Fabrizio Romano, Parma’s pursuit hit a wall, and the club began to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.
Meanwhile, Borussia Monchengladbach—known to their fans as Die Fohlen—spotted an opportunity. With Reyna’s contract at Dortmund set to expire at the end of the 2025-2026 season, and with the player’s career at BVB stalling due to a string of injuries and inconsistent performances, Gladbach sensed they could swoop in with a timely bid. And swoop they did, submitting an offer in the region of €3 million to €3.5 million, a figure that, while short of Dortmund’s €10 million valuation, was enough to put them in pole position.
Parma, for their part, had already put €6 million on the table earlier in the summer, but Reyna’s preference was clear—he wanted to stay in the Bundesliga. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the American midfielder is "open to a move to Gladbach," a sentiment that seems to have tipped the balance in the German club’s favor. The transfer is now at an advanced stage, with Reyna scheduled to undergo a medical with Monchengladbach on Saturday, August 23, 2025. If all goes well, he’ll put pen to paper and officially become a Gladbach player before the weekend is out.
What’s at stake for Borussia Dortmund? Quite a bit, actually. With just one year left on Reyna’s contract, the club faces the real risk of losing him for free next summer if a deal isn’t struck now. Dortmund’s sporting hierarchy has been holding out for a higher fee—closer to €10 million—but the clock is ticking, and the prospect of a drawn-out negotiation stretching into deadline day looms large.
For Reyna, this move represents a much-needed fresh start. After bursting onto the scene with Dortmund and racking up 147 appearances, 19 goals, and 18 assists for the Black and Yellows, his progress has been hampered by recurring injuries and a lack of consistent minutes. Last season, he featured in just 16 Bundesliga matches, starting only three, and was named to the starting XI in just two Champions League games. It’s a far cry from the expectations that once surrounded him, both at club level and for the US Men’s National Team.
Regular playing time is now the top priority for Reyna, who needs to impress USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino if he’s to cement his spot in the squad for the 2026 World Cup. With Gladbach offering a platform for him to showcase his talents week in and week out, the move could be exactly what he needs to reignite his career. As one source put it, "Regular playing time will be key for Reyna, who needs to impress Mauricio Pochettino to secure his spot in the USMNT squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup."
The numbers tell their own story. While Reyna managed 26 competitive appearances for Dortmund last season—contributing six goals and an assist—his overall impact was limited by his lack of starts and the constant battle to regain full fitness. It’s a scenario that’s left him out of the club’s long-term plans, making a transfer not just likely, but necessary for all parties involved.
So, where does that leave Parma? Despite their early interest and a respectable bid, the Italian club now finds itself out of the running. Their inability to reach an agreement with Dortmund, coupled with Reyna’s desire to remain in Germany, has forced them to explore other options. It’s a tough break for a club that’s been eager to inject some youthful creativity into its ranks, but in the fast-moving world of football transfers, hesitation can be costly.
For Gladbach fans, the prospect of adding a player of Reyna’s pedigree is undeniably exciting. At just 22, he’s already shown flashes of brilliance on some of Europe’s biggest stages. If he can stay healthy and recapture his best form, he could prove to be a shrewd acquisition—especially at a price significantly below Dortmund’s initial asking price. The deal, worth between €2 million and €3.5 million plus add-ons depending on the final terms, represents a relatively low-risk gamble for a club looking to climb the Bundesliga table.
Of course, nothing is official until the medical is complete and the ink is dry on the contract. There’s always a chance that last-minute complications could arise, or that Dortmund might dig in their heels and hold out for a better offer. But as things stand, all signs point to Reyna donning the Gladbach shirt before the end of the transfer window.
It’s a move that could have ripple effects far beyond the Bundesliga. For the USMNT, having one of their brightest young talents playing regular top-flight football in Germany bodes well for their World Cup preparations. For Dortmund, it’s a chance to cash in on an asset who had slipped down the pecking order, while Gladbach get a player with plenty to prove and the hunger to get his career back on track.
As the transfer window edges closer to its conclusion, all eyes will be on Borussia Monchengladbach’s training ground this weekend. Will Reyna pass his medical and finalize the move? Or could a late twist see negotiations stall and leave the American in limbo until deadline day? One thing’s for sure: the next 48 hours promise to be anything but boring for Giovanni Reyna and everyone watching this story unfold.
With so much at stake and the deal hanging in the balance, fans and pundits alike will be waiting with bated breath to see where Reyna’s journey takes him next. Stay tuned—this one isn’t over just yet!
