Aston Villa agree £22m transfer for Dortmund star Donyell Malen with ex-Arsenal academy kid set for return to England
ASTON VILLA have agreed to sign forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.
The 25-year-old spent two years with Arsenal‘s academy and is set to make a dream return to England.
Villa have agreed an initial fee for the Netherlands international.
Malen is set to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with Villa in the next 48 hours, according to Athletic reporter Fabrizio Romano.
Unai Emery‘ side hope to complete the deal before their Premier League match at David Moyes’ Everton on Wednesday night.
Villa are set to secure their first signing of the January window, as negotiations have been ongoing over the past 10 days.
Malen, who can operate on either flank or through the middle, has scored five goals in 21 games for Dortmund this season.
The former Ajax youngster joined Arsenal‘s youth set-up in 2015 but was sold to PSV Eindhoven in 2017.
Dortmund went after the winger in the summer of 2021 after he scored 39 goals in 132 appearances.
He was a key player last term in the club’s run to the Champions League final, making eight appearances, including as a second-half substitute at Wembley.
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Malen played four times for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
He found the net twice in their round of 16 victory over Romania and started the semi-final defeat against England.
Villa are also expected to ramp up their interest in Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza this weekend.
Mingueza was watched by Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations, in the LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano on Friday.
Villa are also working on outgoings with Diego Carlos in talks over a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce.
Emery’s side reached the fourth round of the FA Cup after coming back from behind to beat West Ham 2-1 on Friday night.
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