Luca Reggiani Faces Uncertain Borussia Dortmund Future Amid Loan Talks

Borussia Dortmund is recalibrating its youth and defensive pipeline following a summer marked by intensive scouting across Italy. The club handed 18-year-old Luca Reggiani nine appearances across all competitions during the 2025/26 campaign. That senior breakthrough largely capitalized on defensive injuries, allowing the youngster to log 603 minutes on the pitch. However, the Italian’s path to the senior team was probably premature.

Filippo Mané Returns and Shifts the Pecking Order

Reggiani now confronts direct pressure from compatriot Filippo Mané, who is among the winners of Dortmund’s pre-season. After overcoming a hamstring injury sustained in the Rückrunde, Mané emerged as one of the primary standouts of Dortmund’s pre-season preparations.

“Filippo is making progress. That’s down to his hard work. We’ve adjusted things: we know what problems he had. We’ve improved that over the past weeks and months. If he stays healthy, he’ll certainly be a good player for us.”

Niko Kovač, BVB head coach

Reporting from Ruhr Nachrichten indicates that Mané has moved ahead of Reggiani in the pecking order. With competition intensifying at the senior level, Reggiani’s immediate playing time remains constrained.

Loan Speculation and BVB II Options for Reggiani

Club leadership is weighing two distinct paths for the Italian teenager as the transfer window approaches its conclusion. According to WAZ, Reggiani has two options: spend time with BVB II, in the 3. Liga, or leave on loan.

“We’ll assess the situation on a case-by-case basis as the transfer window nears its end,”

Lars Ricken, Borussia Dortmund

This careful evaluation mirrors a broader institutional strategy under the management of Ole Book, who became Borussia’s sporting director in March. The German club is investing heavily in its youth sector, with a development plan in place for all of them, with the aim of gradually integrating them into the first team. Scaglione, in fact, would not be the only future prospect: 17-year-old Brazilian Kaua Prates, 18-year-old Ecuadorian Justin Lerma, and 19-year-old Frenchman Joane Gadou have also recently moved to Dortmund.

Genoa Negotiations Over Roberto Scaglione

Dortmund’s recruitment drive in Italy extends beyond current squad members. Negotiations are underway for the 2010-born attacking midfielder with the club that has already “snatched” Reggiani, Inacio, and Mané from us. And there’s a reason why they all go to Dortmund… A deal is in progress. Borussia Dortmund are once again scouting in Italy. The Black and Yellows could finalise a deal with Genoa for 16-year-old Roberto Scaglione, who previously made history when Patrick Vieira called up for a Serie A match against Atalanta almost a year ago, making him the youngest ever Rossoblù player to be named on the bench for a top-flight Italian game.

Genoa rejected an initial offer of over €1 million from the Germans, but they are not giving up and expect to close the deal. An attacking midfielder, he regularly features for the Azzurri youth national teams.

The Italian Colony and Scouting Network in Germany

Dortmund’s heavy investment in Italian prospects has fueled a running joke among Dortmund fans: All Italians under 30 who no longer live with their mothers are under contract with Borussia. Indeed, several Italian players are already at Dortmund, which would ease Scaglione’s integration. These include 2008-born Luca Reggiani and Samuele Inacio, and 2005-born Filippo Mané. All three have been called up by Silvio Baldini for the senior national team, and all three have already made their debuts.

Yet, it’s no coincidence that so many young Italians have moved to Dortmund. They are scouted by Dario Scuderi, 28, once considered one of Italy’s greatest talents, but who suffered a devastating injury just weeks after turning 18 in 2016: It's difficult to imagine a more serious injury, said the Black and Yellows’ doctor at the time. Dario had ruptured his cruciate ligament, meniscus, and other ligaments. He now works as a scout for Borussia, focusing primarily on Italian players. The latest name he has flagged is Roberto Scaglione. Indeed, one could truly speak of an Italian colony in Dortmund.