According to the Spanish publication Defensa Central (h/t Hard Tackle), Giovanni Reyna, a United States international, is wanted by Real Madrid.
The Merengues sent scouts to observe the playmaker for Borussia Dortmund during the USA’s participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After falling to the Netherlands 3-1, manager Gregg Berhalter’s team was eliminated from the competition in the round of 16.
The USMNT’s 20-year-old player only played 52 minutes of football in two games in Qatar. The report that the scouts would have prepared could play a role in Real Madrid’s decision regarding whether or not to make a move for him.
However, club football might provide a larger sample size for them. This season, he has assisted on two goals in 16 games for Dortmund across all competitions.
Reyna is also able to play as the number 10 down the flanks. Vinicius Jr. is Real Madrid’s primary left winger, but manager Carlo Ancelotti frequently uses Federico Valverde down the right flank.
The Uruguayan international might be able to play only in the central midfield position after Reyna arrives, at least in the long run. In addition, Marco Asensio could leave the 14-time champions in 2023.
The Spain international is in the final year of his contract, and earlier this season, he was even rumored to make an unexpected move to Barcelona. Although Reyna has not yet improved his game to the same level as Asensio over the past few years, he is a player who fits the same description.
At the Westfalenstadion, the former youth academy player for New York City FC still has just over three and a half years left on his contract.
Japan international gives verdict on potential Real Madrid return
Takefusa Kubo, a 21-year-old Japan international, weighs in on a possible Real Madrid return. He is one of very few players to have played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid in his career.
He was with La Masia for four and a half years before signing a free transfer to Tokyo FC in the summer of 2015. He was back in Spain four years later when Real Madrid signed him, but that move didn’t work out.
This summer, he left Los Blancos after making no appearances for them. Kubo has scored two objectives and four aids in 19 games across contests in this mission for Genuine Sociedad.
The Japan international was questioned about a possible return to Santiago Bernabeu prior to the opening match of his nation’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign. Marca was told by him, via Football-Espana:
“I only think about playing Real Sociedad right now and nothing else. The mentor takes generally excellent consideration of me, and my partners as well. I would have half-lost my World Cup ticket if it weren’t for Real.”