'Medical today' - Aston Villa set to complete £25m transfer ahead of Newcastle United

Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated forward Donyell Malen from German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund.

Sky Sports News understands that a deal in the region of €25m plus a further €5m in performance related add-ons has been reached between the two clubs, with the transfer expected to be completed in the coming days.

Malen was the subject of Premier League interest throughout the summer after an impressive individual campaign last season which saw him form part of the Borussia Dortmund team which reached last year’s Champions League final before falling short against Real Madrid.

The Dutch international, who boasts a record of 39 goals and 20 assists from 132 appearances at Signal Iduna Park was heavily linked with a move to Newcastle United after impressing against the Magpies in Europe last season, but now looks destined to complete a move to Villa Park, where he will help aid the club’s push for a Champions League knockout place, FA Cup glory and another top four finish in the Premier League.

Malen, who is renowned for his exceptional pace and creativity in the final third, looks set to arrive as a direct replacement for summer signing Jaden Philogene, who is on the verge of an £21m move to relegation threatened Ipswich Town.

The 25-year-old is also tasked with filling the void of last summer’s departure of Moussa Diaby after his £50m to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.

Malen primarily operates as a right-sided winger, but is also blessed with the ability to play as a centre forward and a left winger when called upon as he proved for the Netherlands in Euro 2024 en route to reaching the semi-final.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are also looking to snap up Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza in the near future. He could be signed as a replacement for Brazil international Diego Carlos, who is the subject of rampant interest from Jose Mourinho’s title-chasing Fenerbache side.

What can Donyell Malen bring to Aston Villa?

Aston Villa are currently eighth in the Premier League with 32 points from 20 games, leaving them four points adrift of the Champions League places after costly defeats to Newcastle United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham in recent months.

In that time, the Villans have scored a respectable 30 goals, with the bulk of those coming from Ollie Watkins, Jhon Duran and this season’s breakout star Morgan Rogers.

However, the West Midlands side have lacked a threat in other areas of the pitch this term, and as it stands the likes of Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, the soon to be leaving Jaden Philogene and Jacob Ramsey have all failed to score, with one of last season’s standout stars Leon Bailey only getting off the mark for the first time last week.

Donyell Malen’s arrival would immediately enhance the team’s attacking options due to his ability to run at defences, get in behind and provide chances for his team-mates.

Malen at 25 years of age could still have his best years ahead of him and is capable of providing versatility to Villa’s front three as both a centre forward and in his preferred wide position.

So far this term, despite having limited starts at Dortmund he has scored five goals in 21 matches, with 11 of those appearances coming from the subs bench.

While playing regularly he proved last season, he can be even more productive with 15 goals and five assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.

This gives him a superior record to Moussa Diaby, who in his only season at Villa Park, managed 10 goals and nine assists in 54 appearances.