'Here we go!' - Fabrizio Romano drops Aston Villa transfer bombshell as £25m deal now imminent

Aston Villa have controversially agreed to loan Donyell Malen to AS Roma with an obligation to buy, according to a reputable new report.

The Villans, who have already sealed the signings of Brazilian winger Alysson from Gremio and wonderkid striker Brian Madjo from FC Metz for a combined £20 million, are making some major moves in the market. Unai Emery tried to lure Conor Gallagher to the club this week but the midfielder has decided to join Tottenham Hotspur, whereas other deals are in the works.

Villa are targeting alternative incomings after missing out on Gallagher, whose move was hijacked by Spurs. Emery is eager to bolster his options in the centre of the park, while the attack is still an area the head coach wants to address. The transfer budget isn’t endless, though, and some sacrifices may have to be made.

‘Here we go’ - Fabrizio Romano confirms £25m Aston Villa done deal

On that theme of sacrifice, Villa have now sanctioned Malen’s exit in a move likely to go down badly with many supporters. The Netherlands international attacker, popular with the Villa Park faithful, has been heavily linked with Italian Serie A outfit Roma this week. His exit is now imminent, it would seem.

Transfer news guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that a deal has now been agreed for Malen to leave Villa on an initial loan with a buy clause. Romano’s post to X reads: “Donyell Malen to AS Roma, here we go! Deal in place with Aston Villa and player’s agents.

“Malen, authorized by Villa to fly to Roma today. £2m loan fee, £25m buy clause to become mandatory. #AVFC accept all conditions of loan deal, manager by Roma director Ricky Massara.”

Are Villa right to let Malen go?

Signed from Borussia Dortmund for around £21 million plus add-ons last winter, Malen has struggled to lock down a starting spot at Villa. The Netherlands international hoped he would become a regular for the Villans in the Champions League last term but he was brutally left out of the squad as Emery had to prioritise depth in other areas.

It hasn’t been the easiest first half of this season, either, as Malen has often played second fiddle to Ollie Watkins. But that hasn’t meant Malen hasn’t been able to get involved at all. In fact, the 26-year-old has been a pivotal impact substitute and he’s recently begun starting more matches.

Had you said Malen was going to leave in the summer, it wouldn’t have come as too much of a shock. But the Dutchman has really come on leaps and bounds in these past few months and his presence will be missed if he goes as expected.

Malen has scored seven goals and registered two assists in 29 appearances so far this season. He’s only started 13 games, with just five of those in the Premier League, but he’s been offering decent competition for Watkins. Villa will need to move to replace Malen quickly if they are to continue their Champions League charge.