Aston Villa in talks to sign Bundesliga star

The 25-year-old Netherlands international is high on Villa’s target list for the January transfer window and an offer of around £15million has been lodged.

Dortmund are thought to value Malen at closer to £20m and negotiations are continuing between the clubs.

Malen has scored 39 goals in 131 appearances since joining the German club from PSV Eindhoven in 2021 but has been a bit-part player this season, starting just six times in the Bundesliga.

Primarily a winger, his ability to play across the forward line is thought to appeal to Villa boss Unai Emery who is keen to add another source of goals to his team.

Bolstering a defence which has conceded 31 goals in the first 19 Premier League matches is also a priority, yet there is also an acknowledgement Villa have suffered from a lack of firepower.

Ollie Watkins, Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers have largely shouldered the burden for scoring goals, with the latter pair unavailable for Saturday’s visit of Leicester through suspension.

Winger Jaden Philogene could be moved out on loan during January having struggled following his summer return from Hull for £18m. 

Ipswich, who came close to signing Philogene before Emery pushed to bring the academy product back to Villa Park, is one possible destination. Villa are also expected to send Louie Barry to a Championship club after recalling the 21-year-old from his loan at League One Stockport.

Another forward, Lewis Dobbin, is poised to join Norwich City on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old, who joined from Everton for £10m last summer, spent the first half of the season at Albion but started just once in the Championship.