Aston Villa Targets Dortmund striker as Asensio Pursuit Cools
Aston villa, currently sitting in eighth place in the Premier League and fifth in their Champions League group, are making waves in the winter transfer window. The Birmingham club, managed by Unai Emery, has been linked with several players deemed surplus to requirements at Paris Saint-germain, including Milan Skriniar, Randal Kolo Muani, and Marco Asensio.
While Asensio was initially a top target for Villa, who were keen on the Spanish midfielder last summer before he joined PSG, recent reports suggest the club’s interest might potentially be waning. RMC Sport previously hinted at a potential swap deal involving Asensio and Colombian striker Jhon Duran, who PSG were reportedly interested in. However,with Asensio featuring for PSG against Saint-Etienne and L’Equipe reporting interest from another unnamed English club,the Aston Villa link appears to be cooling.
Malen to Fill the Void
Instead, Aston Villa seem to be focusing their efforts on securing the services of Borussia Dortmund striker Donyell Malen.According to Sky Germany and othre sources, a deal worth €25 million plus €5 million in add-ons (with €3 million guaranteed) has been reached between the two clubs.
Malen, while not a direct replacement for Asensio in terms of playing style, offers versatility in attack, similar to the Spaniard. This acquisition would address Aston Villa’s need for attacking reinforcements following the departures of Moussa Diaby to Saudi Arabia and the imminent exit of Jaden Philogene to Ipswich Town.
Kolo Muani on Dortmund’s Radar?
Malen’s departure from Dortmund coudl trigger a domino effect in the transfer market. L’Equipe reports that the German club is now considering Randal Kolo Muani as a potential replacement. Dortmund had previously shown interest in the PSG striker last May, and with the need for an attacking addition, kolo Muani could be back on their radar.
However, dortmund is also exploring other options, including Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.Rashford’s high salary, however, could prove to be a stumbling block for the Bundesliga side.
Is Donyell Malen the right Man for Aston Villa? A Chat with Former PL Striker, Dean Saunders
Every transfer window brings a whirlwind of rumours adn speculation, and this January is no exception. Aston Villa, riding high in the Premier League and Champions League, find themselves in the thick of it. joining us today to sift through the noise and share his expert insights is former Premier league striker Dean Saunders.
Moderator: Dean, thanks for joining us. Let’s start with the buzz around Aston Villa.They’ve been linked with several big names, but it truly seems the focus is shifting from marco Asensio to Borussia Dortmund striker Donyell Malen. What are your thoughts on this potential move?
Dean Saunders: Well, I think its a smart move by Villa. Asensio, while a fantastic player, might have been a bit of a luxury signing, especially with their midfield already looking strong. Malen, on the other hand, offers more versatility. He can play across the front line, which is crucial given Villa’s recent departures.
Moderator: absolutely, losing Diaby and Philogene leaves a void. Do you believe Malen can fill those shoes, Dean?
Dean Saunders: He’s certainly got the potential. We saw glimpses of his quality at PSV and Dortmund. He’s quick, direct, and has an eye for goal. The Premier League is a different beast, though. He’ll need time to adjust, but under Emery’s guidance, I think he has the tools to succeed.
Moderator: Emery has worked wonders at Villa since his arrival. Do you think Malen’s style suits Emery’s tactical setup?
Dean Saunders: Emery likes his forwards to be bright,hardworking,and versatile.Malen ticks all those boxes. He’s good at pressing, can hold the ball up, and isn’t afraid to track back. I think he’ll fit right into Emery’s system.
Moderator: There’s also talk of Dortmund looking at Kolo Muani as a possible replacement for Malen. What do you make of that?
Dean Saunders: Kolo Muani is a powerful striker who impressed at Frankfurt. He’d be a great addition to Dortmund,but I doubt they’ll be able to match PSG’s asking price. And with Rashford potentially on their radar too, it’s going to be an interesting few weeks for Dortmund.
Moderator: Indeed, a lot can happen before the window slams shut. Dean, for our readers out there, what are your predictions for Aston villa this season? Can they challenge for a European spot?
Dean Saunders: I truly believe they can. They’ve got a top manager,a strong squad,and the momentum is behind them. If Malen hits the ground running, they could be pushing for a top-six finish.
moderator: Thanks for your time and those insightful comments, Dean.
What do you think?*
Is Donyell Malen the right signing for Aston Villa? Can they break into the top six? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
