
(foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Dutch striker Donyell Malen signs for Aston Villa, providing Unai Emery with a much-needed attacking option for the remainder of the season.
The much-anticipated transfer has been officially confirmed—Donyell Malen has completed his move to Aston Villa, ending a four-year stint with Borussia Dortmund. The 24-year-old Dutch forward joins the Birmingham-based club for a fee of €25 million, €5 million less than what Dortmund paid PSV Eindhoven for his services in 2021.
During his time in Germany, Malen scored 39 goals and provided 20 assists across all competitions. While he delivered some crucial goals for BVB, consistency was often an issue. Dortmund’s preference for systems with a single striker meant Malen frequently played out wide rather than in his preferred central role.
At Aston Villa, Malen is expected to play a more prominent role under Unai Emery. His profile appears to be exactly what the team lacked in the first half of the season. Malen could fill the void left by Moussa Diaby, who departed in the summer, and form a potent attacking partnership with Ollie Watkins.
This season, Jhon Durán has been sharing the attacking duties with Watkins, but their similar playing styles have sometimes led to congestion in attacking areas. Malen’s arrival offers Emery a more dynamic option, capable of complementing Watkins rather than overlapping his role.
Aston Villa’s decision to invest €25 million in Malen appears to be a shrewd move, considering his pace, technical ability, and versatility in attack. At just 24, Malen still has significant potential for growth, and a change of environment could help him rediscover the form that made him one of Europe’s most promising forwards during his time at PSV.
With Villa currently competing for a European spot in the Premier League, Malen’s addition could prove crucial in strengthening their attacking options as they push for a strong finish to the season.