Donyell Malen joins Roma: Aston Villa forward signs for Serie A club for £21.6m after year at Villa Park
Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen has joined Roma only a year after moving to Villa Park from Borussia Dortmund; Malen has scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for Villa; Roma say the deal is an initial loan with an option to buy for £21.6m
Friday 16 January 2026 10:02, UK
Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen has joined Roma after only a year at Villa Park.
Roma's announcement says the deal is an initial loan with an option to buy the Netherlands striker.
Villa's statement does not specify, but it is understood the option becomes an obligation to buy him if certain conditions are met.
According to Sky in Italy, Roma will pay a loan fee of £1.7m and then a fee of £21.6m if and when the deal becomes permanent.
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Atletico Madrid and Juventus had also shown some interest in Malen.
He has been in the Italian capital completing the move over the past few days. He is thought to be keen to play regularly as a centre-forward and has been given those assurances by Roma.
Malen signed for Villa from Borussia Dortmund on January 14 of last year for an initial fee of £21m (€24.2m) and has made 46 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and adding two assists.
Malen's departure means Villa boss Unai Emery only has Ollie Watkins and Evann Guessand, who can play in the role but is yet to score in the Premier League, to call upon in the forward areas.
Villa are currently showing an interest in Roma striker Tammy Abraham, who is on loan at Besiktas.
Villa completed the signing of 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo from Metz and Alysson from Gremio earlier in the window but both players are viewed as development players.
