I suppose the good news is Dortmund has given him some value. It would be bad for their reputation to hold out for $10M for some truly damaged goods situations. That would erode market trust in negotiations of the future
But not unusual. Both sides are waiting to see who blinks first. Until Parma move on to another target for the same position not too much to be concerned about.
It's really not a small amount. 1m on top of a reportedly rejected bid of up to 8m isn't small, that's more than a 10% increase for a club like Parma (not a mathematician). If this was a large fee, idk like in excess of 40m where 1m gets it over the line, sure. With that said, I would really like Gio' situation to get sorted as soon as possible. Whether it's at Parma or another club to come in and offer the 10m and call it done.
The unkindest cut of all: Goal.com is reporting that Reyna has been stripped of his number 7 jersey, now to be worn by Jobe Bellingham. “Gio Reyna has suffered a brutal demotion at Borussia Dortmund, with Jobe Bellingham inheriting the USMNT star’s No.7 shirt.” We gotta get out of this place If it's the last thing we ever do We gotta get out of this place 'Cause Gio, there's a better club for (me and) you. Believe me, Gio I know it, Gio You know it, too.
It sure seems like the numbers are close enough that if Parma hasn't gotten pissed off it gets done. There is a risk, as you note, that if Dortmund look like they've both held back a young starlet by not playing them and not letting them go when there's a reasonable offer it affects their recruiting rep. Probably not a whole lot, but it is the kind of thing that could make a young prospect ask a few questions. Still feels like they're close enough this still happens, but it does seem like it's gotten a bit silly unless there are accounting reasons to require an extra mill up front vs. in some kind of added sell-on.
In talent acquisition a difference of 10% is not considered a sizable hurdle when it comes to adding a talent you want. It's more often expected than not.
There seems to be a wide variety of opinion of what's going on with Gio/Parma. There are some tweets saying Parma will go all out for Gio in the next week, there are others saying that Parma has prioritized other candidates because there are now questions how Gio would fit in their system
I'm going to suggest there may be some negotiating in the media... and at the same time these things get hinky as deadlines approach. If Parma gets a good line on another player, there's nothing stopping them from pivoting.
If you are Parma why would you raise your already fair offer again. No one else seems to have shown serious interest. Dortmund clearly don't want to pay Gio's salary this year and then get no transfer fee for him. I would tell Dortmund we'd like to have Gio in pre season and our offer goes down by 500K a week. It would be best for Gio if this get's done quickly but Dortmund's position just seems like an obvious bluff to me.