Aston Villa have reached a “verbal agreement” on non-public terms with Borussia Dortmund winger Donyell Malen and have opened negotiations for a new signing, according to reports.
Unai Emery’s team has had a good first part of the season and has recently placed 8th and 5th in the Premier League and the Champions League respectively.
However, Villa’s involvement in Europe this season has seen Emery add more intensity to his squad and Dortmund winger Malen is one of the club’s most sensible targets.
As reported by TEAMtalk correspondent Ben Jacobs, Villa have taken a huge step towards securing the signing of Malen.
“Donyell Malen has verbally agreed terms with Aston Villa,” Jacobs posted in X. “There is still no agreement between clubs. Dortmund insisted on about 30 million euros (£25 million/$31 million).
TEAMtalk resources say Villa are willing to spend a maximum of £25m on Malen this month, but it is no surprise they agree a deal for less.
For his part, Fabrizio Romano assures that Villa has opened negotiations to sign Óscar Mingueza from Celta de Vigo, which is one of his “main objectives. “
Romano claims that Villa will seek a deal in January for Mingueza. The 25-year-old right-back may be brought in to compete with Matty Cash, who has not been at his best this season.
“Aston Villa is in talks to explore the transfer of Oscar Mingueza from Celta Vigo,” Romano published in X.
“Nothing has progressed yet, one of the main objectives for the January window, as recommended by the board of directors/Unai Emery. »
Mingueza is a key player for Celta Vigo and has made 17 appearances in La Liga this season, scoring two goals and providing assists.
Aston Villa sporting director Monchi has the right contacts in Spain and that could help Villa complete a deal for Mingueza this month.
Romano doesn’t reveal how much Villa would need to pay to sign the former Barcelona man, but other outlets suggest he’s valued at around €20million (£16.6m / $20.7m).
Malen has been on Villa’s radar for some time and last week journalist David Ornstein said talks had begun with the player over a transfer.
The 25-year-old winger was heavily linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool last summer but ultimately remained at Dortmund.
Since then, Malen has struggled to maintain consistent minutes with the German giants. He has scored five goals in 20 appearances so far this season, but finds himself Maximilian Beier and Jamie Gittens in the pecking order.
This is one of the reasons why Malen is willing to leave Dortmund and himself with Villa. With private terms now fully agreed, it will be attractive to see how much Villa put forward for the talented striker, with developments expected on this story soon.