Gio Reyna to Atlanta United: USMNT star reportedly ‘centerpiece’ of signing

They have two Designated Player spots open after selling midfielder Thiago Almada (to Brazil’s Botafogo) and forward Giorgos Giakoumakis (to Mexico’s Cruz Azul) for a total of more than $30 million. That sum could soon increase, as left-back Caleb Wiley is linked with Premier League side Chelsea for a fee of more than $10 million.

With Atlanta’s coffers full and top-tier talent needed, MLS Season Pass analyst Sacha Kljestan believes they should bring back one of the biggest stars of the U.S. men’s national team in Gio Reyna.

Kljestan’s vision? The former New York City FC academy player is acquired by Borussia Dortmund and takes Almada’s place at number 10.

“We saw him not getting minutes at Dortmund and then going on loan to Nottingham Forest, he didn’t really get enough game time there,” Kljestan said on This is MLS. “This way, he plays week in, week out for two years straight, shows how good he is in MLS and makes a move back to Europe at 23, after the 2026 World Cup. I think it’s a no-brainer.”

“It’s going to cost Atlanta United some money, but I think it would be really good for him personally. And we’ve seen what he’s done with the national team. This kid has quality.”