Former Arsenal academy forward Donyell Malen could be in line for a return to the Premier League after Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund reportedly entered talks regarding a possible transfer.

The 25-year-old joined the Gunners from Ajax in 2015 but failed to make a first-team appearance in North London before returning to Holland in 2017, signing for PSV Eindhoven. He'd spend four years in the Netherlands top flight, scoring 55 times across 116 appearances in all competitions.

In 2021, Malen sealed a move to Borussia Dortmund and has made 131 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit since, scoring 39 goals across two-and-a-half seasons.

READ MORE: Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham warned about major changes to Premier League FFP structure

READ MORE: Arsenal drop crucial Marcus Rashford transfer clue as Man Utd plot shock Jadon Sancho 'trick'

However, the Netherlands international has started just five of Dortmund's 15 Bundesliga games under new head coach Nuri Sahin and, as a result, could depart the club in January.

On Monday, The Athletic claimed Villa had entered talks with the German outfit over a deal to bring Malen to Villa Park, with an offer of £14.9m being tabled.

It is claimed, though, that the opening offer from Unai Emery's side "falls short" of Dortmund's valuation of Malen who is under contract at the Signal Iduan Park until June 2026..

Reflecting on his time at Arsenal, Malen admitted he would love another crack at the English top flight: "I think, because I played in England as a youth, it is a dream to play in the Premier League. I think that is a beautiful dream."

A move to Villa Park in January could see Malen line-up against his former side, with Mikel Arteta's men hosting Villa at the Emirates Stadium on January 18 in their second Premier League clash of the season