Transfer Centre

Big Six clubs 'to monitor Giovanni Reyna progress at Nottingham Forest'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 03 February 2024

Members of the Premier League's Big Six reportedly intend to keep a close eye on how Giovanni Reyna performs during his time at Nottingham Forest.

The Borussia Dortmund attacker touched down at the City Ground during the last knockings of the January transfer window after an ill-fated first half of the campaign in yellow and black.

The USA international has failed to register a goal or assist in 14 matches for Edin Terzic's side since the 2023-24 season began, starting just two Bundesliga games and playing a mere 20 minutes in the Champions League.

With Jadon Sancho's loan return from Manchester United pushing Reyna further down the pecking order, BVB gave the 21-year-old the green light to test his mettle in the Premier League for the next four months, although Forest do not have a purchase option written into the deal.

As a result, Reyna is due to return to the Westfalenstadion - where he is under contract until 2026 - when the Premier League season comes to a close, but several eyes will supposedly be on him as the campaign reaches its business end.

According to Football Insider, top-six sides in the Premier League will be running the rule over the youngster and could try to keep him in England should he come good at the City Ground.

Borussia Dortmund coach Marco Rose and Borussia Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna on August 7, 2021 © Reuters

Reyna has been deployed on both wings and as a number 10 during his time at Dortmund, and his versatility could also help him attract a European-chasing Premier League club during the summer market.

The American attacker grew up in the youth system of New York City FC before being poached by Dortmund in 2019, and he has already represented BVB on 121 occasions across all competitions.

Reyna - who broke Christian Pulisic's record for the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga - has amassed 17 goals and 16 assists for the German giants in that time, winning one DFB-Pokal in the 2020-21 season.

The 21-year-old was born in Durham but relocated to the USA with his family at the age of five, and he now has seven goals to show from 24 games for the Yanks, playing twice at the 2022 World Cup and winning two CONCACAF Nations League crowns.

Reyna will be in contention to make his Nottingham Forest debut when Nuno Espirito Santo's men head to Bournemouth on Sunday, aiming to bounce back from their narrow 2-1 loss to Arsenal in midweek.

The Tricky Trees have dropped to 17th place in the table heading into Sunday's clash at the Vitality Stadium, just one point above the relegation zone with a game in hand on 18th-placed Everton.