Replacing Haaland, fishing and a transfer deficit - inside track on Aston Villa target Donyell Malen
Aston Villa are closing in on a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Donyell Malen, with reports suggesting all that remains in what would be an eye-catching transfer is an agreement over the fee with the Bundesliga outfit.
They are doing so at a time when Unai Emery is looking to strengthen his options in attack, particularly with Jaden Philogene set to depart the club for Ipswich Town and with Leon Bailey yet to hit the heights of last season.
The link with Malen emerged a couple of weeks ago and seems to have all the hallmarks of a live transfer rather than mere speculation, with his career trajectory going in the right direction in these days of over-inflated fees and Profitability & Sustainability Rules concerns, he could be a real bargain for Villa.
We spoke to Borussia Dortmund blogger, podcaster and fan Ben McFadyean who gave us his insight into Malen.
You can read more of Ben’s work here, follow the BVB fanclub here and listen to his podcast here
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What are Malen's biggest strengths?
BM: Since joining from PSV Eindhoven in season 21/22, the Dutch-Surinamese right-footed winger, who can also play as a centre-forward, has made 93 games for Die Schwarz-Gelben. Malen has scored 30 goals.
He was out for 3 months at the end of season 21/22 due to unspecified muscle issues, but he has otherwise been largely injury-free.
Malen came in to replace Jadon Sancho, which was a massive ask as the England winger was an overnight sensation and one of the most effective players to wear the black and yellow. Joining during the pandemic was a difficult time for all players. Donyell initially struggled to make an impression, and there were doubts about his ability to make a difference. In the second half of the season, he showed more of his ability, scoring 5 goals and giving five assists.
In the following season, Donny, who can also play on the left wing, again showed his qualities at times, but ultimately, his finishing was the issue. He scored nine goals and played 27 matches, including a hat trick in a 3-1 win at Hoffenheim. Last season, he improved his ratio to 13 across 27 games and was BVB's most prolific scorer ahead of Niclas Fullkrug, who joined West Ham in the summer transfer window.
What areas of his game need work?
BM: The biggest reason for the complaints about Donyell has been his finishing. Although he has been a good contributor at creating opportunities, he has a career average expected goals ratio of 0.14 per shot.
You could also reasonably argue that after Erling Haaland, who was with BVB between 20-22 and scored 62 times in 67 games, the expectations weighed very heavily on players in attack, including Donny. No player has come even close to the Norwegian's scoring ratio.
Strikers who have struggled include Sebastien Haller, Youssoufa Moukoko, Anthony Modeste, Paris Brunner, and Nic Fullkrug in the past two seasons leading to all of their transfers. A lot has depended on Donyell. Despite the improved performance last season Donny has, however, not achieved the form that led him to 19 goals for PSV Eindhoven in 20/21, the year the club won the Dutch Cup.
Why doesn't he start every game?
BM: Donyell, who played with Justin Kluivert and Matthijs de Ligt in the Ajax academy, has no doubt been affected by the acquisition by BVB of the incredibly effective centre-forward Serhou Guirassy – a sure sign of the club wanting once more to find the Haaland replacement
So far that investment has proven a sound one with nine goals scored in the first half of the season. The outstanding breakthrough of England U21 international Jamie Gittens on the wing has also limited Donyell's opportunities in the current season.
Why are BVB willing to sell him?
BM: The player has been making noises about wanting to move to the English game for some time; BVB needs to strengthen the defence in particular and Nuri Sahin is having issues with central defender Niclas Suele and left-back Ramy Bensebaini both out injured.
The club has been missing an out-and-out defensive leader since Mats Hummels' departure.
In spite of the club achieving a profit overall, an achievement BVB has achieved all years bar two in the last ten, the transfer balance is currently a deficit of €46m, which by Dortmund's standards is a cause for concern. The club will only make a major signing if they are able to sell. The interest from Aston Villa for the former PSV Eindhoven player comes in at just the right time for BVB.
What impact could he have at Aston Villa?
BM: Donyell is known for his speed and agility and is a good link-up man who can find the gaps and put in good through balls. He will link up with former BVB player Ian Maatsen, with whom he is known to have a good relationship. He will also know Leon Bailey from his time as an opponent at Bayer Leverkusen.
He speaks perfect English, like most Dutch players. Villa has a history of successfully integrating Dutch players, including Ron Vlaar, Anwar Al-Ghazi, George Boateng, and Wilfred Bouma, in the past.
Unai Emery has a history of successfully developing players like Gabriele Martinelli and Bernd Leno at Arsenal and Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz at Villa; if he can get more consistent performances, including improved defensive engagement, from the Dutchman, at 25, Donny could end up looking like a snip, especially by Premier League standards, at £10m beneath his current transfer market value.
Is there anything else we need to know about him?
BM: Donyell is also known to be a keen angler, one of England's most popular pastimes, so he should be a good match in the heart of England.
