Overview
- Sky Sport Italia and others report an agreement in principle for a January loan with an option to buy, with figures variously cited around €25m–€30m and some outliers as low as €18m.
- Final details are still being worked on, with mixed reporting on whether Malen has fully approved the move or is still being convinced to accept.
- Roma turned to Malen after difficulties securing Giacomo Raspadori and Joshua Zirkzee, seeking a quick forward addition under Gian Piero Gasperini.
- Malen has started five of 21 Premier League matches this season for Villa and is viewed by Roma as a versatile option across the front line.
- Aston Villa are exploring striker reinforcements such as Tammy Abraham, whose Besiktas loan includes an obligation to buy, while Atletico Madrid have also been linked with Malen as interest grows.