5 potential destinations for Marco Reus
Clubs across Europe are chasing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus. The 25-year-old, who scored in Germany’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia on Sunday, might have signed a new contract with Dortmund that extends his deal with the club until 2019, but that hasn’t put off a number of clubs in the Premier League and beyond looking to splash their cash this summer. With Dortmund renowned for cashing in on their star players – perhaps most notable being Robert Lewandowski’s move to rivals Bayern Munich last year – we look at the five clubs where Reus is likely to be playing his football next season…
Borussia Dortmund
Despite a troubled season for the German side, Reus has had a good campaign. Not a bad achievement considering he’s suffered a few injuries. He’s in double figures as far as goals go and is an important part of the Dortmund side that has found itself battling relegation for much of 2014/15.
Reus has signed a new contract and it’s believed a £20m release clause due to come into effect this summer is no longer in existence. The midfielder joined Dortmund in 2012 and still had two years left on his current deal. Speaking about the new contract, the club’s managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “Marco can shape a new era in Dortmund just like Uwe Seeler did with Hamburg and like Steven Gerrard has with Liverpool. The fact Marco has made this decision in the middle of a porting crisis for BVB shows a high level of loyalty, of which we are very proud.” The midfielder said he’s happy with the decision to stay with his home-town club.
Arsenal
Reus has been on Arsene Wenger’s radar before. The Gunners failed to sign him last summer, and could try again. The Gunners already have a healthy German contingent at the club and Reus’s pace would fit into Arsenal’s (and the Premier League’s) style of play. Wenger’s interest in the player could intensify if ongoing contract negotiations with Theo Walcott continue to stall.
Reus is an attractive proposition as there aren’t that many midfielders around at this level that can boast a scoring record close to a goal every other game. His injury record isn’t great, though, and he missed the 2014 World Cup for that reason.
Barcelona
The Spanish giants are definitely interested in signing the German, but there’s one major problem. The club has had a transfer embargo placed on them so any move for Reus wouldn’t be until next January. Could this be why that summer 2015 release clause seems to have suddenly disappeared?
Rumours are that Dortmund and Barcelona have already signed a deal, even though Reus says his new agreement with the German club is one “for life.” Other reports say that Reus asked the club, “Where would I play in this Barcelona where the attack is made up of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar?” Even though he has some misgivings, it’s felt his friendship with goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen might help persuade the German to move to Spain.
Real Madrid
Madrid are linked with everyone it seems, but if they fail to win La Liga this season and don’t retain their Champions League title, then that search for new players could well intensify. There are already rumours that Madrid have opened talks with the player’s agent and some believe Reus fancies the move. If it turns out to be a battle between Madrid and Barcelona, it’s reported that Real are committed to matching the highest offer on the table for the attacking midfielder and could even offer Sami Khedira in a swap deal.
Chelsea
The club may be on the verge of winning the Premier League, but their failure in the Champions League this season is a worrying one for boss Jose Mourinho. Their midfield looks strong, but the prospect of signing another attacking midfielder who knows where the back of the net is could be tempting for the Londoners.