Aston Villa move closer to landing Bundesliga forward amid PSG interest in Duran | OneFootball

Aston Villa are moving closer to landing Dutch striker Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, marking what could emerge as a major January transfer window acquisition according to The Hard Tackle. The 25-year-old forward has verbally agreed to join the Premier League outfit, though negotiations continue as Dortmund maintain their £25 million price tag for the player. Both clubs aim to wrap up the deal promptly as talks progress.

Why Malen fits Aston Villa's plans

Manager Unai Emery's quest to strengthen Villa's attacking options this winter matches perfectly with Malen's potential arrival. The team's offensive depth has been stretched thin, particularly after John McGinn's hamstring setback.

Despite impressive showings from Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers, Villa are keen to add more firepower to maintain their competitive edge at the highest level.

Since joining Dortmund from PSV Eindhoven in 2021, Malen has shown his versatility across the front three positions, combining speed with creative flair - attributes highly valued by Emery. While Villa's initial £15 million offer falls short of Dortmund's £25 million valuation, there's confidence that middle ground can be found. A successful transfer could help Villa improve their current ninth-place position and boost their Champions League aspirations.

Transfer drama surrounding Jhon Duran

As Villa pursue Malen, they're also dealing with growing interest in their Colombian forward Jhon Duran. Paris Saint-Germain have expressed strong interest in the 21-year-old, potentially offering Randal Kolo Muani in exchange. This situation complicates Villa's attacking lineup plans should Duran exit while Malen arrives.

Despite turning down approaches from Chelsea and Arsenal, who were willing to meet Duran's £40 million price tag, Villa now face persistent pressure from PSG. The French club's involvement adds another dimension to Villa's busy transfer window, leaving Emery to carefully consider how to maintain squad stability amid potential changes.

What Malen brings to Villa

Malen's track record shows promise mixed with periods of uncertainty. His previous Bundesliga season yielded 13 goals and three assists in 27 games, though his performance wasn't consistent throughout. In the 2022/23 season, he found his scoring touch only after matchday 21, finishing with nine goals and seven assists in 26 appearances.

The current season has seen Malen's playing time limited at Dortmund, managing five goals and one assist across 945 minutes in 20 games across all competitions. This restricted role has affected his development with the Netherlands national team, where he holds 41 caps. Dortmund's willingness to sell opens a path for Malen to rejuvenate his career while creating space for their own recruitment plans.

Villa's push to secure Malen signals their growing ambition. Meeting Dortmund's £25 million demand could bring fresh attacking options to Emery's squad, though Duran's potential PSG move adds complexity to their forward line planning. January looks set to be crucial for Villa's domestic and European goals as transfer negotiations continue.