Real Madrid: Reinier seeking a way out of Dortmund loan

Reinier Jesús took a gamble when he chose Borussia Dortmund as the place to continue his development. The agreement between Real Madrid and the German club was for a two-year loan but the move hasn't quite turned out as planned. Last season, he was given few opportunities to play and the outlook hasn't changed so far during the current campaign. Not so long ago, AS reported that Reinier's entourage have more or less reached the conclusion that the loan arrangement will be rescinded in January - that is looking increasingly likely, with Benfica as the possible next destination.

According to torcedores.com, Reinier's agent Giuliano Bertolucci is in talks with Benfica, and has discussed the matter with club president Rui Costa. There is another factor which would aid the operation going ahead - Jorge Jesús coaches the first team and he would be delighted to have Reinier back under his wing. The 19-year-old shone under Jorge Jesus at Flamengo in 2019 (scoring six goals and creating two more in 15 games) - figures which sparking interest from a number of Europe's top clubs.

Reinier would face competition at Benfica

Even if he terminates his loan with Dortmund to join Benfica, that wouldn't mean he is guaranteed playing time at Estádio da Luz. He would have to compete with João Mario for a place in the side, but nevertheless, it's still an opportunity not to be missed for the player and the Portuguese club. While negotiations are believed to be going well, the one area where there could be problems is paying Reinier's wages. Benfica would only be willing to pay half of the player's salary, and argue that they cannot take on paying the full amount at a time when we are halfway through the season.

Much would also depend on what Real Madrid have to say. The Spanish club would be open to the move if Reinier is going to get regular minutes. According to reports coming out of Portugal, they would be eager to include a clause in the deal, obliging Benfica to buy the player at the end of the loan for 20 million euros. That would make Reinier a Benfica player from next season and leave a deficit 10 million euros in Madrid's accounts as they bought him for 30 million euros in 2020. Reinier's first few months in the Spanish capital were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic which affected his progression with Castilla (he ended with two goals and an assist in three games) but didn't get to make his debut with the first team.

Reinier has never managed to find his place at Signal Iduna Park. In 2020-21, he made just 19 appearances, in which he scored one and set up another. Neither Lucien Favre nor Edin Terzic were up for giving him the opportunity to show why he is considered one of the pearls of Brazilian football, and that lack of confidence in the player has only increased under Marco Rose, who has used him just five times, for a total of 62 minutes on-field. Reinier opted for a loan at one of the strongest teams on the continent. Two years on, his salvation could be at another club, Benfica and under a coach who knows him and how the get the best from him, Jorge Jesús.