Aston Villa allegedly struck a personal agreement with Borussia Dortmund striker Donyella Malen, but have yet to find a solution with the Bundesliga club.
Malen has failed to cement his place as an established starter under Nuri Sahin this season, coming off the bench in half of his 20 appearances in all competitions.
Yet despite racking up less than 1,000 minutes over the first five months of the campaign, just two Dortmund players have surpassed the Dutch national team this season. Malen was allegedly placed in the club strike list unwanted players in November.
Before his breakthrough at PSV Eindhoven, Malen spent time in Arsenal’s academy and previously expressed their readiness to return to north London. Liverpool have also been linked with the 25-year-old, but Premier League rivals Aston Villa appear to be on the brink of a permanent deal.
Ben Jacobs reported that Unai Emery’s side had “verbally agreed terms” with Malen, but there was no “agreement between the clubs”. Dortmund have reportedly demanded €30m (£25m) for the striker, who is under contract with the club until 2026.
Villa He is expected to be active in the winter transfer window after a busy summer. Emery’s Champions League chasers are one of them several parties vying for the signature exiled Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani and are also thought to be interested in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush – £50m target for Manchester City and Liverpool.
Emery is clearly unhappy with the club’s forward options after failing to replace Moussa Diaby following his move to Saudi Arabia six months ago.
However, as in the summer, Villa’s income must be balanced by sales. Academic graduate Jaden Philogene, who only returned to the Midlands in July in an £18m deal, is said to be the subject of interest Everton this month.
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