Roma Turn Their Attention Toward Aston Villa Forward

Roma have grown pessimistic about being able to bring in Joshua Zirkzee even later in the window and have set their sights on a different Premier League striker, Donyell Malen, who’s having an up-and-down season, Sky reports.

The forward has totaled 7 goals and 2 assists in 29 appearances across all competitions. However, He hasn’t scored since early December and has mostly been deployed as a sub in the past month or so. Therefore, he’s considering departing to feature more consistently.

Roma and Aston Villa are in touch to finalize a loan with an €25/30M option to buy for Malen should he give his green light. The two teams could also terminate the spell of Leon Bailey prematurely. He has spent more time on the shelf or on the pitch since joining last summer.

The 26-year-old Dutchman is in his second campaign in London and has hit the net 10 times in 46 appearances. He joined in a €30M move from Borussia Dortmund. He originally broke out with PSV and has racked up 49 caps and 13 goals with the Netherlands. The striker makes €8M gross yearly.

The capital club is eyeing a double swoop as they are in advances talks with Olympique Marseille for Robinio Vaz.

Our Take on Roma and Malen

He’s more of an alternative to Giacomo Raspadori than to Zirkzee, given his physique and characteristics. He’d be an okay addition, as they are so hurt that any healthy body would help, but it wouldn’t be great if they missed on both their primary targets, further irking Gian Piero Gasperini, even though it might happen for circumstances beyond their control in the Manchester United misfit’s case.