Roma to sign Donyell Malen permanently from Aston Villa
Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen is set to make his loan move to AS Roma permanent this summer, with the Italian club triggering a purchase clause in his loan agreement. According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Roma will exercise their option to sign the Dutch international for a fee of €25 million, regardless of the original conditional clauses in his loan deal.
The 25-year-old has made a significant impact in Serie A, scoring 11 goals in just 14 appearances for the Giallorossi, including a recent hat-trick against Pisa. The original loan agreement stipulated that the move would become permanent for €25 million if Malen played 50% of Roma's matches and the club qualified for European competition. While the second condition remains in play, reports from Italy indicate Roma have already decided to proceed with the transfer regardless of their final league position.
For Aston Villa, the sale of Malen represents a significant financial gain. The winger, who was signed for a reported €15 million, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of just €15.8 million, making the €25 million fee a profitable piece of business for the Midlands club. The funds are likely to be crucial as Aston Villa navigates Financial Fair Play regulations, with the club needing to balance the books after a period of significant investment.
Malen's departure is part of a broader financial strategy at Villa Park. The club is also facing intense speculation regarding the future of star forward Morgan Rogers, with several Premier League giants reportedly interested. The 23-year-old Englishman has been linked with moves to Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United, with Villa's financial position making a major sale a possibility this summer. The potential funds from the Malen deal, however, may ease the immediate pressure to sell Rogers, who has recently endured a seven-game goal contribution drought.
Manager Unai Emery has consistently defended his star forward, praising Rogers's overall contribution and work rate. The club's financial strategy appears to be one of selling assets at a significant profit—as with Malen—to fund the squad's overall development. The permanent sale of Malen, a player who was not a regular starter in Emery's system, represents a successful piece of business for Villa's recruitment team. The club will now look to reinvest the proceeds as they aim to build a squad capable of challenging for European places consistently.
