How Donyell Malen's move to AS Roma can become permanent from Aston Villa
Donyell Malen of AS Roma
Donyell Malen of AS Roma(Image: AS Roma via Getty Images)
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The terms of Donyell Malen’s loan to AS Roma have been disclosed, including the conditions for a potential permanent move from Aston Villa.
Malen has made a stunning start in the Italian capital, scoring five goals in as many Serie A matches since joining last month.
He scored a brace in each of Roma’s last two matches - against Udinese and Napoli on Sunday night.
Roma’s 2-2 draw in Naples lifted them to fourth in the Serie A standings and kept them on course to qualify for European competition again this season.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Roma will be obliged to buy Malen for €25 million (£21.7 million) if the club qualifies for either the Champions League or Europa League, and if he features in at least half of their matches through to the end of the season. It is also said Villa would have a 10 percent sell-on clause in any permanent deal.
Villa have also received €2 million (£1.7 million) as a loan fee for Malen.
Malen joined Villa from Borussia Dortmund 12 months before his move to Italy but struggled to secure regular starts during his single season under Unai Emery.
He was open to a transfer to gain more playing time as a number nine, and Unai Emery was willing to sanction the departure, especially as Malen himself wanted to take on a new challenge in his career.
“It’s a decision that was not easy, a tough decision, but it was making sense. There are three parts involved in the decision," Emery explained.
“Firstly, it’s the player. The player had his role – he was being important, he was helping us, scoring goals. He was not consistently in the starting XI, but for me he was very important, and he knew it. I spoke with him about it.
“One part is the team and the players we have. The player was happy and he was being a protagonist, but not enough like he wanted. Players are always in the possibility to get a deal to leave from the club.
“He opened his door to listen in case some team could give him something better than us.
“The last one is the club, and for the club, it’s a good deal. When we decided to analyse those three parts – for me, I prefer him to stay here, but in case he was leaving like he did, we’re ready for it. We’re working on it.
“I accept it. It’s a good deal for the club and a good deal for him. Three parts involved in it and analysing deeply each situation, we decided it.”
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