Malen and Roma eager to make switch from Aston Villa permanent

Malen and Roma eager to make switch from Aston Villa permanent

Dutch reports confirm Donyell Malen is enthusiastic about the move to Roma, as the club will exercise its €25m option to buy from Aston Villa.

The centre-forward was a January signing on loan from Aston Villa at a cost of €2m for the six-month spell, with an option to make it permanent for a further €25m.

Even the most wildly optimistic supporter could not have imagined the impact that he would have at the Stadio Olimpico.

Amazing Malen impact at Roma

ROME, ITALY – APRIL 10: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Pisa SC at Stadio Olimpico on April 10, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

In just 16 appearances for the Giallorossi between Serie A and the Europa League, Malen has scored 12 goals plus two assists.

Incredibly, he is their top scorer both in Serie A and in all competition this season, despite not joining the squad until mid-January.

Of those 12 goals, 11 came in just 14 Serie A games, netting on his debut against Torino on January 18, just two days after completing the transfer.

Somewhat inevitably, Voetbal International write that Malen is very happy with his situation at Roma, so player and club are eager to lock this rapport down for a while longer.

It also gives the 27-year-old the opportunity to focus on bringing this kind of confidence and form to the Dutch team at the 2026 World Cup this summer.