Fakayejo Paul
AS Roma are preparing to pull the trigger on the permanent signing of Donyell Malen from Aston Villa. After a blistering start to life in the capital, the Dutch forward has convinced the Giallorossi board to accelerate the transition from a loan to a long-term stay.
Malen joined Roma on January 16, 2026, and has already become the spearhead of Gian Piero Gasperini’s attack, netting 5 goals in his first 5 matches—including vital braces against Cagliari and in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Napoli.
The Financial Package
- The Loan Fee: Roma already paid €2 million upfront in January.
- The Fixed Fee: €25 million (approx. £21m) is due to Aston Villa.
- The Add-ons: The deal includes several performance-related bonuses.
- The “Villa Clauses”: * Unai Emery’s side will retain a 10% sell-on clause on any future transfer.
- The fee split is strictly for Villa, as they bought out his previous sell-on rights during his move from Dortmund in 2025.
The Obligation Conditions
While the deal was initially structured as a loan with an option, the purchase becomes an obligation once specific triggers are met:
- European Qualification: Roma must secure a spot in either the Champions League or Europa League.
- Appearances: Malen must feature in 50% of matches between his arrival and June.
- The Current Status: Roma currently sit 4th in Serie A (47 points), firmly in the UCL spots, and Malen has started every game since his arrival, meaning the “trigger” is effectively a formality at this point.
The “Gasperini Effect”
Malen’s rapid adaptation has been credited to Gasperini’s high-intensity system, which allows the Dutchman to play as a mobile second striker rather than the isolated winger role he often occupied at Villa Park.
With Tammy Abraham still on loan at Besiktas (and linked with a return to Villa), Malen has inherited the role of the club’s primary offensive threat alongside Paulo Dybala.
“Donyell has the verticality we were missing. He is a ‘modern’ striker who attacks the space perfectly.” — Gian Piero Gasperini