Donyell Malen Makes Sh*ck Move: Aston Villa Exit, Joins AS Roma

According to Ireporter Online, Netherlands forward Donyell Malen has completed a move from Aston Villa to Serie A side Roma, ending his one-year spell in the Premier League. The Italian club confirmed that the transfer is a loan with an option to buy, though Aston Villa did not disclose financial details. Reports suggest that the option could become obligatory if certain performance conditions are met.

Malen, 26, joined Villa from Borussia Dortmund in January 2025, scoring 10 goals in 46 appearances across all competitions. This season, he has netted seven times but struggled to secure a regular starting role, making only five league starts out of 21 under Villa manager Unai Emery.

Roma, currently fifth in Serie A, confirmed that Malen will wear the number 14 jersey. The forward spent the past few days in Rome finalising the move and is reportedly motivated by the prospect of regular football as a central striker. Italian reports indicate that Roma will pay a loan fee of approximately £1.7 million, with a further £21.6 million due if the deal becomes permanent. Other clubs, including Atletico Madrid and Juventus, had reportedly shown interest before Roma secured his signature.

Malen began his senior career with PSV Eindhoven before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2021. He is also a former youth player at Ajax and Arsenal. Across his club career, he has scored 104 goals in 294 appearances and has contributed 13 goals in 49 matches for the Netherlands national team.

His departure leaves Villa with limited options in central attack. Emery now has Ollie Watkins and Evann Guessand as his primary striking choices, both yet to score in the Premier League this season. Villa are reportedly monitoring Roma striker Tammy Abraham, currently on loan at Besiktas, and have also pursued young forwards Brian Madjo from Metz and Alysson from Gremio, though both are considered long-term prospects rather than immediate solutions.