Aston Villa in shock talks to sign ex-Arsenal youth star in £25million deal

Dortmund are willing to sell Dutch international Malen for a fee in the region of £25million.

Chief football correspondent Alex Crook believes Malen would represent a 'decent' bit of business for Villa should the move eventuate.

"He brings a level of experience," Crook said on talkSPORT.

"A full Dutch international, played a lot of European football as well.

"He's been part of a Borussia Dortmund side that's usually there or thereabouts in the Bundesliga, so he could be a decent signing for Villa."

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Villa have been on the lookout for a versatile forward that can play across the front three since the £60m summer departure of Moussa Diaby to Saudi Pro League Al Ittihad.

Diaby, who moved to Villa Park from Bayer Leverkusen only 18 months ago, dovetailed with Ollie Watkins up top or would cut in from the right wing.

However, the need to comply with UEFA's profit and sustainability regulations, which are separate to the Premier League's rules, led to Diaby's departure from Villa.

Villa signed Jaden Philogene from Hull City last summer but the 22-year-old has started only two Premier League matches from 19 played this season.

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Leon Bailey has been the primary option at right wing, while the likes of John McGinn and Morgan Rogers have also played there at various stages this campaign.

Bailey has struggled to match his impressive performances from last term so far and is yet to score in 22 appearances across all competitions.

By this stage in the 2023/24 season, Bailey had six goals and five assists in the league.

The signing of Malen would no doubt ease the burden on Bailey and provide him with some much-needed competition that could help kick the Jamaican into gear.

Malen joined Dortmund in 2021 from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, where he scored 55 goals in 116 appearances across all competitions.

The 25-year-old was Dortmund's top scorer in the Bundesliga last season with a tally of 13.

However, Malen has started just ten of Dortmund's 22 games this term and may feel he has a better chance of regular game time at Villa.

A stint with Unai Emery's side also wouldn't be Malen's first time playing in England.

The Dutch international was in Arsenal's youth set-up from 2015 to 2017 and represented the Gunners in the Youth Premier League, FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League.

Malen made his senior debut for Arsenal during a pre-season friendly in 2017 against Australian side Sydney FC but never made a competitive appearance for the Gunners.

He was sold to PSV in August 2017.