Aston Villa have submitted an enhanced bid of £15 million, alongside potential add-ons, in their pursuit of Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund as the January transfer window approaches. According to reports from MailOnline, Dortmund are open to negotiations but are holding out for a total fee of £25 million, with a minimum of £16.5 million required upfront.
The 25-year-old forward is keen to make the move to the Premier League, where he hopes to reunite with former teammate Ian Maatsen. The duo previously played together at both Dortmund and within the Netherlands national team setup. Malen is recognised for his versatility, primarily operating on the right wing, and his arrival would significantly enhance the pace and depth of Unai Emery's squad.
Currently, Aston Villa possess a robust selection of attacking options, including England international Ollie Watkins and the promising Jhon Duran, who are vying for the main striker role. The club is currently positioned ninth in the Premier League but is enjoying a commendable run in the Champions League, sitting fifth after a notable 1-0 victory against Bayern Munich earlier in the season.
Malen has already made four appearances in Euro 2024, finding the net twice during the knockout stage against Romania. His addition to the squad would provide Emery with greater strategic flexibility and quality in attacking roles. The Netherlands international is contracted to the Westfalenstadion for another 18 months, which adds a layer of complexity to any potential transfer.
Malen's footballing journey began in the Ajax academy before he moved to Arsenal, where he progressed through the youth ranks and participated in the club's pre-season tour of Australia in 2017. However, he made the switch to PSV Eindhoven that same August. During his time in the Netherlands, he enjoyed remarkable success, scoring 40 league goals in just over 80 appearances prior to his transfer to Dortmund. This season, Malen has already netted five goals, including one in Dortmund's recent 3-1 Bundesliga victory over Wolfsburg.
As Aston Villa continue to strengthen their squad, the potential acquisition of Malen could prove to be a significant step in their ambitions for the current season and beyond.