Report: £25m player Thierry Henry said was a better prospect than Bukayo Saka now wants to join Aston Villa

01/02/2025 08:15 AM

Aston Villa have already got started in the January transfer window – just two days into the New Year.

Unai Emery is clearly not entirely satisfied with his squad heading into 2025 as the Villans sit ninth in the Premier League – six points away from the UEFA Champions League spots.

Aston Villa could use a lift – having recorded just one win in their last four Premier League outings – and a player Thierry Henry once said was better than Bukayo Saka is now keen on making the move to Villa Park in Donyell Malen.

Aston Villa receive Donyell Malen encouragement

A story from BILD in Germany now states that the Netherlands international is keen to leave Borussia Dortmund for Aston Villa this month.

The German news outlet explain that Malen currently feels uncomfortable under Nuri Sahin at the Signal Iduna Park, and having always dreamed of playing in the Premier League, the Dutchman is ready to leave sooner rather than later.

This feeling is mutual.

BILD add that Aston Villa want Malen to move to the Midlands, and have already made contact with the 25-year-old’s representatives, although Barcelona are also keen to secure his signature.

The man born in Wieringen – who Borussia Dortmund paid £26m to sign from PSV Eindhoven back in July 2021 – has scored five goals and provided one assist in 20 appearances across all competitions so far this season.

TBR Football understand Borussia Dortmund would accept £25m to sell Malen this month.

What Thierry Henry said about Donyell Malen

As aforesaid, Henry once revealed that Malen was better than Saka in the youth ranks at Arsenal.

The Frenchman – who spent time coaching in Hale End – told the BBC: "Yeah, I mean look, at the time I was in the academy, people were talking a lot about Chris Willock, the brother of Joe, Reiss Nelson and Donyell Malen. Bukayo was good, but he wasn't the talk of the ones that was in the academy, you know, and that's why I have mad respect for Bukayo.”

Of course, the pair have seen their careers take vastly different paths over the years, with Saka now a global superstar at the age of 23 – two years younger than Malen.

However, the Borussia Dortmund No.21 still has many years left at the highest level at the age of just 25, and could soon display his talents in the Premier League if Aston Villa can agree a fee.