Borussia Dortmund eye second spot as Giovanni Reyna nears Gladbach move

Meanwhile, midfielder Giovanni Reyna's future looks set to take him to Borussia Monchengladbach after a potential transfer to Parma stalled.

After narrowly missing out on the Bundesliga title in 2022/23, Dortmund have struggled to keep pace, finishing 27 points behind champions Bayer Leverkusen in 2023/24 and 25 points adrift of Bayern Munich the following season.

Felix Kroos, now a pundit and brother of former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos, believes Dortmund have the potential to close the gap but will fall short of the top spot.

"I see Dortmund as the favourites for second place, but unfortunately still a fair way behind Bayern Munich," Kroos said in an interview with RTL/ntv.

"They can definitely reclaim that position and achieve a better finish than last year, but they need the right players to do it. Their aim is to get as close to Bayern as possible and keep the pressure on for as long as they can."

Kroos acknowledged the ambition within the Dortmund camp but highlighted doubts among the fanbase. "BVB supporters might struggle to believe this squad can truly challenge Bayern," he added. Despite their attacking firepower, led by Serhou Guirassy's 21 Bundesliga goals last season, consistency remains a concern for the Black and Yellows.

On the transfer front, Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna appears poised for a move to rivals Borussia Monchengladbach. The 22-year-old American midfielder, who has one year left on his contract, was initially linked with a switch to Serie A side Parma.

However, recent reports indicate Gladbach have emerged as frontrunners, offering between 3 and 3.5 million euros plus bonuses, according to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio.

Dortmund, however, value Reyna closer to 10 million euros, with Parma's earlier 6-million-euro bid falling short. The United States international, who saw just 12 minutes of action at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, is no longer a key part of Dortmund's plans under manager Niko Kovac.

A move to Gladbach could offer Reyna the regular playing time he needs to reignite his career, with the player reportedly open to joining the Foals at Borussia-Park.

As Dortmund prepare for their Bundesliga opener, their focus will be on narrowing the gap to Bayern while resolving Reyna's future. With new signings like Jobe Bellingham and a tactically astute setup under Kovac, the Westphalians are determined to make waves this season.

For now, all eyes are on whether Reyna's transfer to Gladbach will be finalized before the window closes.