Reynolds to Roma: How the Giallorossi won their ‘bidding war’ with Juventus for US ace

The switch saga is over, and what an extended and winding one it was. Cease, begin, change instructions. However, nonetheless, right here we’re: Bryan Reynolds is now, officially, finally, a Roma player.

It has been one of many oddest and most stunning tales in American soccer historical past. A participant that was a backup on his personal membership workforce simply six months in the past all of a sudden discovered himself on the heart of a tug of battle between two Italian giants.

And, now, just days after losing Reynolds to Roma, Juventus will host the Giallorossi on Saturday.

The 19-year-old just isn’t anticipated to face his former suitors, having solely simply began coaching at Trigoria. However he’ll definitely be watching on intently as the 2 golf equipment do battle in Turin, with third-placed Roma only one level forward of Juve within the Serie A standings.

It’s a very important match for the guests, with the cash-strapped Giallorossi determined to safe the top-four end that may grant them a badly-needed return to the Champions League for the primary time because the 2018-19 season.

In fact, they might but problem for the Scudetto, given Paulo Fonseca’s aspect are simply six factors behind leaders AC Milan, who’ve misplaced two of their final 5 league video games.

Nonetheless, it is also a large match for Juve, as they appear to take care of the great kind which has propelled them up the desk. Andrea Pirlo’s first season in cost has had its ups and downs however, regardless of all of it, Juve are again inside putting distance because the calendar turns to February.

Their revival appeared set to be boosted by Reynolds’ arrival from FC Dallas. He definitely appeared a pure match for the Bianconeri, who had already been buoyed by the moment influence made by one other American, Weston McKennie, who joined from Schalke firstly of the season. 

As soon as they formally submitted their bid, Juventus had little doubt that they might land Reynolds. They had been prepared to pay a charge of round €6 million ($7m) and deliberate to ship {the teenager} to Benevento for the rest of the 2020-21 marketing campaign due the present lack of non-EU spots in Pirlo’s squad.

Reynolds would then return to Turin in the summertime to correctly start his Juve profession. That was the plan, at the least. However there was one downside Juve did not account for: Roma.

For starters, the Giallorossi had been prepared to pay extra whereas additionally together with a sell-on clause to sweeten the deal for FC Dallas. The switch is structured as an preliminary €100,000 mortgage with an choice to purchase for a charge of €6.75m ($8m). On high of that, there are a number of performance-related bonuses that might find yourself being value a complete of €5.65m ($7m).

On the finish of the day, Roma meant enterprise, and so they introduced out their checkbook to show it.

“We really had a bidding battle amongst a number of Champions League groups, which is a brand new dynamic,” CEO and chairman Clark Hunt informed reporters on Monday. “I believe that claims loads about the place our academy is, nevertheless it additionally speaks to the standard of the American participant.”

Maybe simply as importantly, although, Roma supplied Reynolds a transparent path to the primary workforce. As an alternative of a stop-start starting mortgage at Benevento, Reynolds will probably be thrust proper into the center of a Serie A title race.

“Me and my household had been completely satisfied that there have been quite a lot of golf equipment enthusiastic about me. However I selected Roma as a result of I believe it’s your best option for me,” Reynolds mentioned at his introductory press convention.

“It was the event plan; going straight to the first-team, coaching day by day with them… I believe that was going to be your best option for my growth.

“I’ve spoken with Paulo Fonseca and he informed me he was excited for me to return right here and to work with me, and I informed him that I used to be excited to have the possibility to return right here too.

“He informed me that coming right here can be the perfect factor for my growth, and I believe that’s a very powerful factor for me: my growth and adapting to this new league. I’m super-excited and suppose I made your best option.”

So, now that Reynolds has lastly signed on the dotted line following plenty of false begins and surprises, what occurs subsequent? Can we count on to see the American in Roma’s beginning line-up within the coming weeks?

His potential is plain. Reynolds has been in comparison with Trent Alexander-Arnold because of his attacking skillset, so he seems to be ideally suited to the wing-back berth on the right-hand aspect of Roma’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

With additional cowl behind him, his defensive weaknesses are much less prone to be uncovered as he adjusts to a completely new stage in Serie A.

He clearly has a lot to work on. Roma have undoubtedly made this take care of one eye on the long run. However whereas he’s unlikely to function towards Juve, don’t be stunned if Reynolds shortly forces his method into Fonseca’s considering, given his quite a few attributes.

“What I believe I’m good at is clearly attacking, getting ahead,” Reynolds mentioned of his personal recreation. “I believe considered one of my strengths is my physique; I’m sturdy and I’m quick and I wish to suppose I’m a fairly good crosser.

“What I believe I have to work on is my defensive skills and my defensive positioning. I believe I’m fairly good in duels however I believe a very powerful factor is studying the techniques and the Roma method.”

He added: “So far as gamers go, [Inter’s Achraf] Hakimi and [Juventus’ Juan] Cuadrado are two that I look as much as as a result of they’re so attack-minded as gamers, and that’s how I wish to see myself in that proper wing-back position.”

When Reynolds does ultimately make his debut for the membership, he’ll develop into solely the second American to function for Roma, following within the footsteps of Michael Bradley. Thus far, few Individuals have been in a position to thrive in Serie A however McKennie has proven Reynolds the way in which ahead.

“Clearly it’s going to take a while to adapt to such a excessive stage like Serie A and an enormous membership like Roma, however I don’t suppose I’ll have an issue with that,” he mentioned. 

“It will be my goal to verify I adapt; that will probably be my focus. My objective is to play for the membership and I do consider that I ought to make at the least just a few appearances earlier than the top of the season.”