Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen is reportedly open to departing the club on a temporary basis this month, with Serie A side AS Roma emerging as the frontrunners for his signature.
Roma Lead the Chase for Villa Forward
AS Roma's pursuit of Donyell Malen is now the most advanced, according to the latest reports. The Italian club are pushing to secure the Dutch international on a loan deal, and while an agreement with Villa is not yet finalised, Malen is believed to have encouraged Roma to continue their efforts.
Interest in the 26-year-old is not exclusive to Rome, however. Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have also registered their interest, but it is the Giallorossi who have made the most significant headway in negotiations at this stage of the January window.
Malen's Mixed Fortunes at Villa Park
Malen arrived at Villa Park from Borussia Dortmund 12 months ago in a £20 million deal, but has struggled to cement a regular starting role under Unai Emery. Despite this, his goal return has been respectable.
The forward has started just seven Premier League matches for Villa since his arrival. Yet, across all competitions, he has managed to find the net 10 times. This season, his tally of seven goals in all tournaments is bettered only by Morgan Rogers within the squad, with star striker Ollie Watkins matching Malen's total.
Villa's Plans for a Potential Replacement
Should Malen's departure be confirmed, Aston Villa are expected to move quickly to secure an attacking reinforcement. One name firmly on their radar is former favourite Tammy Abraham.
Abraham, who played a pivotal role in Villa's promotion during the 2018-19 campaign, was a target for manager Unai Emery in the summer of 2023 before a serious ACL injury scuppered any move. A return to the Midlands now appears a plausible option as Villa plan for the second half of the season.
The situation indicates a likely reshuffle in Villa's attacking options before the transfer deadline, with Malen's potential exit paving the way for a familiar face to make a dramatic return.
