Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen is poised for a swift departure from Villa Park, with a loan move to AS Roma now imminent and a permanent transfer likely to follow in the summer.
Medical underway for Serie A switch
The Dutch striker is currently in Italy to undergo a medical ahead of completing a loan switch to the Serie A outfit for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign. This move comes just over a year after Malen arrived at Villa from Borussia Dortmund in January 2025.
The €28 million clause that seals the deal
Reports from Italy confirm that the agreement includes a significant clause. Roma will be obligated to sign Malen permanently for a fee of €28 million (approximately £24 million) if the club secures qualification for any European competition next season.
With Gian Piero Gasperini's side currently sitting fifth in Serie A, European qualification appears almost certain, making the permanent transfer highly probable.
Malen's impact at Villa Park
Despite his relatively short tenure, the 26-year-old has made a notable contribution this season. Malen has scored seven goals across all competitions for Villa in the 2025/26 campaign. This tally places him as the club's second-highest scorer, behind only Morgan Rogers.
His departure will conclude a stint of 35 Premier League appearances, with just seven of those being starts, highlighting his role primarily as an impact player from the bench.
The move raises strategic questions for Villa's management, balancing immediate squad depth against a substantial financial return for a player who joined just twelve months prior. For Malen, it represents a fresh challenge in one of Europe's top leagues, with the prospect of European football next season a key incentive.
