Donyell Malen to Aston Villa: 'Confirmed news from Borussia Dortmund'
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Borussia Dortmund have issued an official update on Donyell Malen amid reports of Aston Villa closing in on a deal.
Villa have been pursuing the forward throughout the window and have reportedly agreed a fee of £19.4 million [The Athletic].
Football Insider revealed on 10 January that the Midlands club are increasingly confident of finalising the deal. Recent developments suggest significant progress has been made.
Dortmund, set to face Holstein Kiel on 14 January, confirmed on X that Malen will not be part of the travelling squad.
The club announced in a tweet: "Donyell Malen will not be part of the travelling squad for the Bundesliga away game in Kiel. Borussia Dortmund have allowed the offensive player to leave for talks with another club”.
Aston Villa want to focus on squad depth for the rest of the season
Football Insider Verdict
Ahead of the transfer window, it seems Unai Emery had prioritised signing a versatile forward capable of playing out wide and up front.
Malen fits that profile, having scored five goals and registered one assist for Dortmund this season.
The club are also targeting a right-back this window. Sources tell Football Insider that Emery aims to bolster his squad with at least two quality players for every position.
While financial restrictions may influence some decisions, a deal for Malen is unlikely to disrupt plans for another forward. The Dutch international is a more attainable target due to him having less than 18 months on his contract.
With Villa competing in the Champions League this season, the added fixtures have underscored the importance of squad depth. The coach is determined to avoid losing key players. The club have rejected a bid from West Ham for Jhon Duran to maintain stability.
As the Malen update indicates that serious talks are underway, it remains to be seen whether Villa will pursue additional reinforcements before the window closes.
In other news, Celtic are eyeing a potential deal for an Aston Villa forward.
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The post Donyell Malen to Aston Villa: 'Confirmed news from Borussia Dortmund' appeared first on Football Insider.
