
Aston Villa are edging closer to securing the signing of Borussia Dortmund attacker Donyell Malen in the January transfer window.
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg first broke the news that Villa have reached an agreement to sign Malen.
Plettenberg claimed that Villa are paying a fee of €25 million plus €5m in add-ons, with €3m guarantee, and it will be a permanent deal.
As per The Athletic, the fee is around €23 million, plus €3m in add-ons. Villa made an opening offer of €18m, but the deal was agreed after an improved offer was made.
Agreeing personal terms with Villa will not be an issue for Malen.
Dortmund have dropped an official statement today where they shared that the player has not travelled with the team to play the Bundesliga away game in Kiel.
The club have released the 25-year-old to hold talks over his potential next move.
The statement read (translation): “Donyell Malen will not travel with the team to the Bundesliga away game in Kiel. Borussia Dortmund has released the offensive player for talks with another club.”
Aston Villa fans will be thrilled by the news as this is a major indication that the transfer is very close. Unless there are late issues with medical or agreement in personal terms, Villa should be able to secure the player they wanted this month.
Unai Emery is keen to add a versatile attacking midfielder/forward to his squad this month and has earmarked Malen as the perfect fit for the club.
The Dutch attacker can operate on either flank or through the middle. He joined Dortmund in the summer of 2021 from PSV Eindhoven and has scored 39 goals in 132 appearances.
Malen has scored five goals for Dortmund in 21 matches in all competitions this season.
Villa will offload Jaden Philogene, who is expected to join Ipswich Town for £22 million. Likewise, Diego Carlos is also in talks over a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce.
