Real Madrid prospect Reinier Jesus is reportedly a target for fellow La Liga club Espanyol over a loan move in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Reinier Jesus is the subject of interest from Espanyol over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Periquitos want to sign the Real Madrid prospect on a season-long loan deal ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Reinier Jesus joined Real Madrid amid a lot of hype and fanfare surrounding him. After all, the 20-year-old drew comparisons with Brazilian legend Kaka during his days at Flamengo, with the Merengues soon following up with an offer and signing him. After spending the second half of the 2019/20 season with Real Madrid Castilla, Reinier joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
The Bundesliga champions had signed the Brazilian prodigy on a two-year loan deal, and Real Madrid might have fancied his prospects of progressing quickly at the Signal Iduna Park. But Reinier failed to feature prominently for the Black and Yellows in the last two years and was reduced to the status of a bit-part player.
Reinier garnered just 741 minutes of game-time across 39 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, chipping in with one goal and one assist. It even seemed, at times, as if Reinier might return to Real Madrid after cutting his loan spell short, but Los Blancos did not give him an escape route out of the Bundesliga club.
Reinier’s frustrating loan stint has finally ended, with the 20-year-old prospect back at Real Madrid. But he will unlikely feature in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2022/23 season, with another loan exit likely in the summer transfer window. And Espanyol could hand him the opportunity to make his mark in La Liga.
Several former Real Madrid players currently ply their trade at Espanyol, including Diego Lopez and Raul De Tomas. And the familiarity could help Reinier blossom while honing his skills at a La Liga club. Diego Martinez’s preferred system should suit the Real Madrid prospect, but he should have plenty of competition for the spots.
Other La Liga clubs like Real Valladolid, Real Betis and Valencia are also interested in Reinier. And Espanyol’s emergence in the race to sign the Brazilian prospect means he will likely remain in Spain in the 2021/22 season.