Villa will have no problem striking one transfer deal in the summer as it stands
Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico
Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico(Image: Getty Images)
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Aston Villa will have no problem striking one transfer deal in the summer if Donyell Malen continues to bang in the goals for Roma.
Malen scored twice as Roma beat Cagliari 2-0 in Serie A on Monday night.
The double took his tally to three goals in four matches since his loan move to Italy.
Roma have an option to make the player’s loan deal a permanent transfer at the end of the season - and it will be an easy decision for them if Malen, bought by Villa for £19m, continues his form in front of goal, which has even sparked comparisons to Dutch great Marco van Basten.
Asked if he expected Malen to make such a big impact so quickly, Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini said: “I'm convinced he's a top player.
“We have to make sure we help him and give him the right sort of service. He's a difficult player to contain with such a vast repertoire.”
On the comparisons to van Basten, Gasperini added: “Van Basten had a different physique. (Gianluca) Vialli had a similar ability to shake off his marker and get in behind. Malen has similar movements.”
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