'Discussions underway' over shock Aston Villa transfer as European giants target £21m gem

Aston Villa are reportedly engaging in shock talks over the exit of one of their most popular players.

The Villans, albeit after a shaky start, are absolutely flying this season. Unai Emery has got his side playing brilliant football and the results have been incredibly consistent ever since the end of September, allowing for an outside shot at the Premier League title.

Villa aren’t targeting top spot, but rather a return to the Champions League, and that’s looking all the more likely as the weeks go on. There’s still plenty of work to do to ensure they get there, though, and Emery has already spoken about the possibility of utilising the transfer market to improve Villa’s chances of seeing off the competition.

One signing has already come through the doors at Villa Park, with Gremio winger Alysson’s services secured for around £10 million. More incoming deals are being targeted, too, as Besiktas striker Tammy Abraham and Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher are understood to be legitimate targets, while 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo is on the verge of joining.

Roma target shock deal for £21m Aston Villa attacker

Villa may not be able to make many moves before they sell players first, however. This has been the case for several successive seasons as Emery’s side have had to tread carefully regarding the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR).

In a shock turn of events, versatile forward Donyell Malen, who has become very popular among the Villa Park faithful, is under consideration for a transfer out of the club. Several reports in Italy, including from reputable journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, suggest talks have begun between AS Roma and Villa over a possible loan-to-buy deal.

Di Marzio’s report states ‘discussions are underway’ and that Roma are now seeking Malen’s approval. Whether or not that means Villa have already given the deal the green light or not awaits to be seen, but genuine conversations appear to be going on.

Should Villa 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 would be missed.

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.

If Villa were able to land a significant fee at the end of the loan deal, then perhaps selling Malen would make sense. It would free up some funds to go after Abraham and Gallagher, after all. But Villa must consider the flip side and whether it’s worth losing a player of Malen’s calibre.

Villa fans, should Malen be sold? Let us know in the comments section.