Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a deal to bring Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen back to England, where he could be poised to deliver a message to his former club, Arsenal.
Malen, who joined Arsenal in 2015, has never forgotten his early days at the club, particularly the moment he was told he was “too fat” by Andries Jonker, then head of youth development. Malen’s stint at Arsenal lasted until 2017 when he moved to PSV Eindhoven for a modest fee of £540,000. Reflecting on his departure, Malen recalled how Jonker’s criticism took him by surprise, especially as he wasn’t fully match fit at the time.
“I heard him say that I came in too fat. That surprised me,” Malen said. “I was not yet match fit, but too fat? No. It was going well in England, but I still wanted to leave Arsenal because I had the opportunity to sign for PSV.”
Despite the criticism, Malen thrived in Eindhoven, scoring 55 goals and assisting 24 in 116 appearances. His success with PSV earned him a £26 million move to Borussia Dortmund in 2021, where he has since contributed 39 goals and 20 assists across 131 games. However, despite his solid performances, Malen has struggled for regular starting opportunities at Dortmund.
Now, Aston Villa are reportedly in discussions to bring Malen back to the Premier League, with negotiations reportedly ongoing. Villa’s initial offer of £13.3 million for the Dutch forward was rejected by Dortmund, who are seeking £16.6 million plus bonuses. Malen, who has yet to play against Arsenal since his departure, could be set to face his old side on January 18 at the Emirates Stadium, a fixture that could have a significant impact on the Gunners’ title bid.
Malen’s potential return to England would provide him with the opportunity to prove a point to his former employers, who once wanted to extend his contract but ultimately saw him leave. Known for his versatility across the forward line, Malen could offer Villa another attacking option as they continue to push for a European spot this season.
As talks continue, Villa fans will be watching closely to see if the move goes through in time for Malen to take to the pitch against Arsenal, a team he may now have a personal stake in challenging.
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