With Aston Villa reportedly closing in on the signing of Donyell Malen this week, it promises to be another savvy addition to Unai Emery’s squad.
Admittedly, the Dutchman wasn’t the first name that came to mind to bolster our attacking options as we entered the January transfer window, and even now, there is a sense of being underwhelmed to an extent that he has emerged as our preferred solution to improve the squad.
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That said, he has been a priority transfer target for a reason, as his name was one of the first to be linked with Villa this month, and with a lack of alternative names emerging, there is a sense that Emery, Monchi and the scouting department have all set their sights on Malen being the best fit for the group, our system and style of play.
As per the Athletic, Villa are said to have now agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign the 25-year-old for a fee believed to be €23m, plus add-ons, and so it’s a significant outlay from the club on a player who will have an important role and big responsibility to deliver in the coming months and years.
While he has struggled to establish himself as a key figure for Dortmund this season, Malen has still contributed 39 goals and 20 assists in 132 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, while prior to joining them in 2021, he bagged 55 goals and 24 assists in 116 outings for PSV Eindhoven.
Perhaps the time has come for all concerned to have a fresh start, and there aren’t too many better places to do that than at Villa under the guidance of Emery given how many players we’ve seen improve under the Basque coach since he arrived at the club.
Should the transfer go through as widely touted, Malen will be a vital addition as he must add a new dynamic to our attack with his technical ability, speed, creativity and eye for goal. While the hope is that the likes of Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey and Emiliano Buendia find form in the second half of the campaign too, we’ve lacked something in the final third and have been too reliant on Morgan Rogers to produce behind our frontman.
Amid speculation that Jaden Philogene is expected to leave Villa this month, if we’re going on the basis that Malen is essentially replacing him, then we’re looking at a significant upgrade and an improvement of the squad. Going back further than that though, with Philogene unable to make the desired impact this season after he was re-signed last summer, we’re also addressing a problem that was created when Moussa Diaby left.
The French international had a solid season with us, but it wasn’t necessarily a whirlwind impact and stellar campaign. That said, 10 goals and nine assists in 54 games is still an important contribution, and with his pace and movement in the final third, we lost a critical dynamic in how we wanted to play against certain opposition and in breaking teams down.
Malen potentially addresses that finally, and given their track record thus far in assembling a squad capable of competing at the top level and bringing in new players who fit into what we’re building and can subsequently flourish, it’s hoped Emery, Monchi and the Villa management have got this expected decision spot on too.
