Roma are set to make Donyell Malen’s move permanent after the Dutch forward’s sensational form since January turned him into the club’s most important attacker.
Roma and Donyell Malen are both eager to continue their flourishing partnership, with reports indicating that the Italian side are now fully expected to trigger the €25 million option to buy the forward permanently from Aston Villa.
Roma paid €2 million to take Malen on loan for six months, inserting a clause that allows them to complete a permanent purchase this summer. At the time, there was optimism that the Dutch attacker could add pace and finishing to the frontline, but even among the most hopeful supporters, few imagined the scale of the impact he would make in such a short period.
Since arriving at the Stadio Olimpico in mid-January, Malen has been utterly relentless. In just 16 appearances across Serie A and the Europa League, he has already scored 12 goals and contributed two assists. Those numbers alone are striking, but the truly remarkable detail is that despite joining halfway through the season, he has already become Roma’s top scorer in all competitions.
In his time at Roma, Donyell Malen is averaging four shots per game, the fourth highest rate in Europe’s top five leagues, level with Harry Kane and only behind Kylian Mbappé, Denis Undav and Lamine Yamal.
It’s no wonder he has 11 goals in just 14 Serie A games so far 🎯 #avfc pic.twitter.com/QfI4hd5JWk
— 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 (@TotalVilla_) May 1, 2026
His Serie A return is even more extraordinary. Eleven of those 12 goals have come in only 14 league appearances, meaning he is effectively scoring at a rate close to a goal per game. He wasted no time announcing himself either, finding the net on his debut against Torino just two days after completing the transfer and never really slowing down from there.
More than just the raw numbers, Malen has brought a level of directness and confidence Roma’s attack badly lacked before his arrival. He has offered explosive movement behind defences, sharper decision-making in the final third and a calmness in front of goal that has repeatedly turned tight matches in the Giallorossi’s favour.
Unsurprisingly, the player himself is believed to be thrilled with life in the Italian capital. Reports suggest that Malen feels extremely comfortable in his new surroundings, is enjoying the trust shown in him, and would welcome the opportunity to stay beyond this summer. Roma share that enthusiasm, viewing him not as a temporary fix but as a central attacking piece for the seasons ahead.
A permanent move would also carry major international significance for the 27-year-old. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, maintaining this level of confidence and continuity could be crucial to strengthening his place in the Netherlands national football team setup.
Everything now points toward the deal being completed without major complications.
