Aston Villa are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Borussia Dortmund to secure the signing of forward Donyell Malen. The Dutch international, who began his European career with Arsenal, could soon return to England and face his former club in a crucial Premier League clash.
Malen’s journey to prominence began in 2015 when he joined Arsenal from the Ajax academy. The young striker was thrilled at the opportunity to sign for the North London club, citing his admiration for Arsenal legends Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry. “When I found out Arsenal were interested in me, I felt so proud and excited,” Malen said. “Arsenal was a club that had always interested me for two main reasons—Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.”
Despite his excitement, his time with the Gunners was short-lived. Malen left Arsenal in 2017 to join PSV Eindhoven for a reported £540,000 fee. Reflecting on his decision to leave, Malen revealed that former Arsenal head of youth development Andries Jonker had once deemed him “too fat” during his time at the club. “I heard him say that I came in too fat. That surprised me,” Malen admitted. “I was not yet match fit, but too fat? No. It was going well in England, but I still wanted to leave Arsenal because I had the opportunity to sign for PSV. I took that chance.”
At PSV, Malen blossomed into a prolific forward, scoring 55 goals and providing 24 assists in 116 appearances. His departure from Arsenal did not go unnoticed, as the Gunners reportedly attempted to extend his contract before he opted to leave. However, Malen prioritized his career development over monetary incentives. “I don’t play football for the money. Otherwise, I would not have left England,” Malen explained. “There are stories that I was not fit when I came to Arsenal, but I have never been too fat. That really is a nonsense story.”
His decision paid off, as Malen became one of the Eredivisie’s standout players. His outstanding performances in the Dutch league earned him a £26 million move to Borussia Dortmund in 2021. Malen was signed as a replacement for Jadon Sancho, who had joined Manchester United. During his time in Germany, Malen contributed 39 goals and 20 assists in 131 appearances. However, a lack of consistent starts at Dortmund has reportedly made him open to new opportunities, and Aston Villa are eager to bring him back to England.
According to reports, Villa submitted an initial offer of £13.3 million, which was rejected by Dortmund, who are holding out for £16.6 million plus performance-related bonuses. Negotiations are ongoing, and there is optimism that a deal can be reached soon.
Malen’s potential arrival at Villa Park could be a game-changer for the club. With Villa competing in the Champions League and pushing for another European spot in the Premier League, the addition of a versatile forward like Malen could bolster their attacking options significantly. His ability to play across the forward line makes him an ideal fit for Unai Emery’s tactical setup, offering flexibility and creativity in the final third.
If the transfer is finalized, Malen could make his Premier League debut in a highly anticipated clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on January 18. This fixture would provide Malen with the chance to showcase his growth since leaving North London and potentially deliver a blow to Arsenal’s title ambitions.
Facing his former club would add an extra layer of motivation for the Dutch international. Malen, who was once compared to Alexis Sanchez by his former Ajax youth coach Brian Tevreden, has developed into a dynamic and unpredictable attacker. His speed, technical ability, and eye for goal could pose a significant threat to Arsenal’s usually sturdy defense.
Beyond his potential impact against Arsenal, Malen’s arrival would reflect Aston Villa’s ambition to compete with the Premier League’s elite. Under Unai Emery, the club has shown a clear intent to strengthen its squad and challenge for honors both domestically and in Europe. Securing a player of Malen’s caliber would be a statement of intent and a testament to Villa’s growing reputation as a destination for top talent.
Villa’s pursuit of Malen also highlights the club’s commitment to strategic recruitment. The Dutch international’s track record of delivering goals and assists at the highest level makes him an attractive option, especially given his experience in both the Eredivisie and Bundesliga. His versatility and work ethic align with Villa’s aspirations to build a competitive and cohesive team capable of achieving sustained success.
While the deal is yet to be finalized, the prospect of Malen returning to England is already generating excitement among Villa supporters. His journey from Arsenal to PSV, then to Dortmund, and now potentially back to the Premier League, underscores his resilience and determination to succeed. For Malen, the move represents an opportunity to prove himself on one of football’s biggest stages and settle unfinished business in England.
If negotiations are successful, Aston Villa will have secured a player who has the potential to make an immediate impact and elevate the club’s attacking threat. With Malen in their ranks, Villa could solidify their position as one of the Premier League’s most exciting teams to watch this season.
