Aston Villa attacker Donyell Malen is reportedly on the cusp of joining Serie A giants AS Roma on loan in the winter transfer window.

According to a report by The Athletic, Donyell Malen will join AS Roma on loan this week. The Serie A giants have struck an agreement with Aston Villa over a deal with a purchase obligation clause worth €25 million. The Giallorossi will also pay a loan fee of €2 million. Interestingly, the versatile Dutch attacker was also a target for Atletico Madrid and Juventus, as per Sky Sports.

How has Donyell Malen fared at Aston Villa?

Donyell Malen has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining Aston Villa from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth €23 million in January 2025. While the 26-year-old has produced many game-changing performances in the last 12 months, he has not been consistent enough to become an undisputed first-choice starter for the West Midlands club.

However, the Netherlands international has been reasonably productive in the 2025/26 season, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in only 1,106 minutes of game time across 29 outings in all competitions. However, the versatile Dutch attacker’s time with Aston Villa will end soon, as he is closing in on joining AS Roma on a six-month loan deal. Atletico Madrid and Juventus were also keen on signing Malen.

A man in demand

Atletico Madrid will dip into the market for a versatile attacker this month, as Giacomo Raspadori is closing in on joining Atalanta. Several candidates, including Omar Marmoush, have thus emerged on Atletico Madrid’s wishlist, with Malen also a viable target.

Meanwhile, AS Roma’s interest in Donyell Malen has been understandable. The Serie A giants have been combing the market for a versatile attacker heading into the winter transfer window, as Gian Piero Gasperini wants more firepower in the final third. With Artem Dovbyk failing to make his mark this season, Malen emerged as an option worth considering for AS Roma.

As for Juventus, Luciano Spalletti has been pushing the Bianconeri to dip into the market for a versatile attacker to sustain the Serie A title challenge in the second half of the 2025/26 season. Malen thus emerged as a viable target for Juventus. However, the 26-year-old Dutchman has agreed to join AS Roma on a six-month loan deal this month.

The Giallorossi will pay a loan fee worth €2 million, while the loan deal includes a purchase obligation clause of €25 million. So, Atletico Madrid and Juventus must look elsewhere for a new attacker, with the versatile Aston Villa attacker on the verge of joining AS Roma.