Roma reach agreement in principle for Aston Villa forward

Reports from Sky Sport Italia claim that Roma and Aston Villa have an agreement in principle in place over a January deal for Netherlands international Donyell Malen.

Sky: Roma in talks to sign Malen from Aston Villa

Roma are looking to provide Gian Piero Gasperini with several attacking reinforcements in January, and are also pursuing deals for Italy international Giacomo Raspadori and Marseille teenager Robinio Vaz according to Monday’s reports. There could, however, be another deal in the offing with Aston Villa, who are reportedly prepared to let Malen leave this month.

According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, Roma and Villa have an agreement in principle in place over a loan deal with a potential option to buy for a fee in the region of €25m-€30m. The Giallorossi still need approval from the player himself.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Donyell Malen of Aston Villa celebrates his team’s second goal scored by teammate Emi Buendia (not pictured) as Arsenal players looks dejected during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on December 06, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old has four goals from 21 appearances in the Premier League this season, but only five of those outings have come as a starter. He also has three goals from six appearances in the Europa League to his name in 2025-26.

Roma have already signed one attacker on loan from Aston Villa this season: Leon Bailey, who has struggled with injuries since moving to the Stadio Olimpico over the summer, and has been limited to just 181 minutes of Serie A football across seven league appearances.

He is part of the reason why Roma and Gasperini are so keen to bring in new attackers this month. Elsewhere, Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk are both expected to be unavailable for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia match against Torino due to injury.