Manchester United are among several top clubs reportedly monitoring the situation of Roma striker Donyell Malen, according to Italian media. The Corriere dello Sport claims the Dutch forward, who only joined the Serie A side from Aston Villa in January, is attracting significant interest following a prolific start to his career in Italy.
Malen moved to Roma on an initial loan deal with an obligation to make the transfer permanent for a fee of €25 million (£21.5 million), a clause the club is expected to trigger. However, the same report suggests Roma could be tempted to sell the 27-year-old this summer if they receive an offer in the region of €50 million (£43 million), which would see them double their investment in a matter of months. Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Barcelona are also said to be tracking the player.
The interest from Manchester United, overseen by director of football Jason Wilcox and interim manager Michael Carrick, is described as a surprise given Malen's recent departure from the Premier League. The striker left Aston Villa in the winter window as part of the club's efforts to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules, having scored 10 goals in 46 appearances after a £22.5 million move from Borussia Dortmund in January 2025.
Since arriving in the Italian capital, Malen's form has been transformative, earning him the label of 'the face of the new project' at Roma. He has scored 12 goals in just 16 appearances, a run of form that has put elite clubs across Europe on alert. His potential availability comes at a time when United are assessing their forward options for the coming season.
The report notes an intriguing subplot, as Roma opted to sign Malen in January instead of pursuing another Dutch striker, Joshua Zirkzee, who had been linked with a move to Italy. Zirkzee is now reportedly aiming for a return to Serie A this summer, which could theoretically see Malen replace his compatriot at Old Trafford should the respective moves align.
While Malen is a named target, other reports suggest United's primary striker pursuits may lie elsewhere. The club is more likely to open talks for Brentford's Igor Thiago, who has 22 goals in 35 Premier League games this season, or Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, who is available on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract this summer. Any major incoming transfer will also be influenced by the club's decision on its managerial position, with the job currently interim manager Michael Carrick's to lose.
For Roma, the situation presents a potential quick financial windfall, but also a sporting dilemma, as losing a player who has immediately become integral to their attack would be a significant blow. For Malen, a swift return to England would mark another abrupt career move, following his adaptation to life in Serie A.
