Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen has made a significant move, joining AS Roma after just a single season at Villa Park. This transition marks yet another chapter in Malen’s career, which saw him making an impact at Villa with a total of 10 goals in 46 appearances. The player, who previously signed with Aston Villa from Borussia Dortmund on January 14 of last year for an initial fee of £21 million (€24.2 million), will now embark on a new challenge in Italy.
Roma’s official announcement regarding the transfer states that Malen will initially join the club on loan, with an option to buy the Netherlands striker permanently for a fee of £21.6 million. Aston Villa’s statement, while not specifying details, indicates that the option to purchase may convert to an obligation if certain performance-related conditions are satisfied throughout the season. As reported by Sky in Italy, the deal involves a loan fee of £1.7 million, which Roma will pay upfront.
In the ongoing transfer market, Malen has garnered attention from other prominent clubs, including Atletico Madrid and Juventus, both of whom showed interest in acquiring the young forward. However, the appeasement of his desire for regular playing time in the centre-forward position seems to have been a significant factor in his decision to join Roma, who have assured him of opportunities on the pitch.
During his tenure at Aston Villa, Malen demonstrated his abilities as a forward, contributing not only in terms of goals but also providing two assists along the way. His exit creates a considerable gap in Villa’s forward options, leaving manager Unai Emery with a limited selection, now relying primarily on Ollie Watkins and Evann Guessand for attacking prowess. Notably, Guessand is still waiting to make a significant mark in the Premier League, having yet to find the back of the net.
In light of Malen’s departure, Villa is reportedly looking to bolster its attack by considering moves for Roma striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently on loan at Besiktas. This strategic interest reflects Aston Villa’s ongoing commitment to enhancing their squad depth. Additionally, Villa has already completed the signings of promising talents, 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo from Metz and Alysson from Gremio, although both players are seen primarily as development prospects for the future rather than immediate first-team solutions.
Overall, this transfer not only highlights Donyell Malen’s continuing evolution as a player but also underscores the dynamic nature of the transfer market, where clubs are consistently strategizing to optimize their rosters for both the immediate and long-term future.
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