How Much Longer Can Marco Reus Realistically Spend at Borussia Dortmund?

Alaskan king-crab fishermen are thought to have Earth's most dangerous job, but give them Borussia Dortmund's No. 11 shirt and statisticians might revise their thinking.

Unquestionably a talented footballer with high—if not unlimited—ceilings, Marco Reus' body has transformed into the Bundesliga's best defender and his own worst enemy.

Currently sidelined with a severe toe injury, via German football's official Twitter page, the attacking option missed BVB's last domestic fixture vs. Hannover 96, and his return is unscheduled.

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Speaking to his quality, despite the past 18 months of fitness woes, the 26-year-old remains a subject of much speculation. Even with a shut transfer window, Reus and suitors like Manchester United—as exemplified by the Daily Express' Bruce Archer—remain incessantly linked.

The German international signed a new deal in February (per ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld), keeping himself attached to his hometown club until the 2018/19 season. Moreover, Reus removed a €25/£17.5 million buyout clause in his previous contract, which might have been triggered during the 2015 summer transfer window had negotiations not taken place.

A Borussia Dortmund academy product—who left then returned like a prodigal son—Reus is apparently unwilling, or unable, to leave the club of his youth. Loyalty escaped the likes of world-class talents Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski, who left for Bayern Munich, but neither had the deep-rooted connection Reus has with his birthplace club.

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All things being equal, the 26-year-old has already enjoyed his dream move.

There are few better atmospheres in Europe than the 81,000-seat Westfalenstadion, BVB's brand of football cannot be described as dull or uninteresting and the devil known is normally better than the devil unknown. 

Why, then, would Reus move from where he is loved and waiting on deification? It seems obtuse, self-sabotage and generally vapid—but football rarely ever follows the beaten path.

Were realism being sought, Reus can stay at Borussia Dortmund until he decides to retire.

The club would never reject him—as they would have a public-relations nightmare excommunicating their hometown hero and best-ever footballer. Furthermore, from a marketing aspect, there is no better player to build Dortmund's brand around.

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Not knowing his personal ambitions, Reus might see leaving the club before securing an enduring legacy as unacceptable. Born within a few miles of the Westfalenstadion, his entire upbringing would have involved dreaming of achieving legendary status at his club, so however long it takes to garner that reputation could be his estimated time of departure.

If BVB are unable to cast him away, and the decision lies with him, the attacker's only determining factor should be winning.

Loyalty is fantastic, but misguided loyalty is equally dangerous.

The 2014/15 season was an exercise in patience, this campaign has started much better under new management, but Reus should never sacrifice his personal ambitions (winning the Champions League, etc.) because he feels indebted.

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Impeccable offers will invariably come for the German star over the next few seasons. Lucrative contracts from England, Spain, France and Italy are sure to arrive in Dortmund. In this sense, Reus will always have leverage over BVB to get accomplished what he wants accomplished.

To answer our title question: How much longer can Reus stay at the Westfalenstadion?

It is a near impossible task, given the market's volatility, but leaving home and ceding power are never simple requests.

Expect the 26-year-old to give the best part of his prime to BVB, leave, then return where it all began (not as a prodigal son, but more princely) after a brief stint outside Germany has concluded.

Follow @danieltiluk

*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.