Roma confirmed the 26-year-old has arrived on an initial loan, with the deal set to become permanent if certain conditions are met. Villa did not disclose the fee, but reports in Italy suggest a 1.7m pounds loan cost followed by a 21.6m pounds obligation to buy. Malen will wear the number 14 shirt in the Italian capital.
Malen leaves Villa Park after only a year, having joined from Borussia Dortmund in January 2025 for an initial 21m pounds. He made 46 appearances for the Premier League side, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists. Despite being named Villa's player of the month in November, he struggled for regular starts this season, making only five league starts amid competition from Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia.
The forward is understood to have been keen on a move that would offer more consistent minutes as a central striker, assurances Roma have given him. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are currently fifth in Serie A and pushing for Champions League qualification.
Malen links up with former Villa teammate Leon Bailey at Roma, while his departure leaves Unai Emery with Watkins and Evann Guessand as senior central attacking options. Villa continue to monitor Roma striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently on loan at Besiktas.
A former Ajax and Arsenal youth player, Malen previously starred at PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Dortmund. He has scored 104 goals in 294 club appearances and has 13 goals in 49 caps for the Netherlands.
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