Marco Reus will not be playing his football in the Premier League next season, it seems. After a summer full of speculation in which he was strongly linked to all of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, the German attacking midfielder’s future is now in the hands of Real Madrid. Spanish online newspaper El Confidencial have reported that Borussia Dortmund have signed an agreement with Madrid, whereby the La Liga club have the first-option to sign Reus next year.

Despite his contract running at Dortmund till 2017, Reus’ release clause will drop down to £25 million next summer. The 25 year-old is sure to be at the centre of tug-of-war between many clubs, but Real Madrid will have the upper hand over everyone else.

Even though Madrid President Florentino Perez is not a big fan of advance contracts, the quality provided by Reus is hardly likely to diminish in the next year. The diminutive winger missed the recent World Cup through injury, but has recovered and started playing regularly for Dortmund again. Having signed Gareth Bale last summer and James Rodriguez this, Madrid have already lined-up Reus to be their marquee signing for next year.

Madrid’s gain though, is a loss to a whole host of Premier League clubs. While Liverpool and United were on the trail of Reus all summer, Arsenal reportedly had a stunning £35 million rejected by Dortmund on deadline day.