Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen could be set for a swift exit from the club, with AS Roma reportedly in talks over a January loan deal for the Dutch international.
Struggle for Minutes at Villa Park
Malen, who arrived from Borussia Dortmund just 12 months ago in a £20 million move, has found regular game time hard to come by under manager Unai Emery. Despite being a fan favourite and scoring 10 goals during his time at the club, the 26-year-old has been unable to secure a consistent starting role.
The primary obstacle has been the undisputed status of Ollie Watkins as Villa's central striker. While Emery has occasionally deployed Malen in a supporting role alongside Watkins—a tactic that yielded a brace against Burnley earlier this season—this system has not been used regularly. Consequently, Malen has started only five Premier League matches this campaign, though he has been selected from the beginning in four of Villa's six Europa League fixtures.
Roma's Proposed Deal Structure
According to reports emerging from Italy, Roma are now in dialogue with Villa's hierarchy regarding a temporary move for the attacker. The proposed agreement is understood to be a loan deal with an option to buy in the summer.
Given Villa's initial investment, the club will be keen to ensure any permanent transfer turns a profit. Malen's own stance on a potential switch to Serie A remains unclear, but his limited prospects for increased minutes at Villa Park may influence his decision.
Potential Abraham Link Adds Intrigue
Adding a further layer of intrigue to the negotiations is Villa's reported interest in Roma striker Tammy Abraham. The former Villa forward is currently on loan at Turkish side Besiktas, with an agreement that could become permanent if certain conditions are met.
While a direct swap is not indicated in the current reports, the mutual interest between the clubs could facilitate discussions. For now, the focus remains on finding a resolution for Malen, whose useful contributions as a squad player have not translated into the starting berth he desires.
