‘Here we go’ - Fabrizio Romano green lights deal for £20m Newcastle United target
Aston Villa are reportedly on the brink of signing Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen.
Unai Emery has been on the hunt for fresh reinforcements to rejuvenate their season. While still in the Champions League, Villa, like Newcastle a year ago, have dropped off in the Premier League.
The added European demands have been blamed for causing several muscular injuries and an underwhelming festive period. Despite the recent downturn, Villa still sit three points behind a resurgent Toon outfit, who are fifth.
With Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran already in their ranks, they are now set to add Dutch international Malen to the attacking setup. German outlet Bild reported last week that Newcastle were plotting a last-minute hijack.
However, Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has green-lighted the deal, with Malen now set to join for around £20million. He posted on social media: “Aston Villa agree deal to sign Donyell Malen from BVB, here we go! Agreement reached with Borussia Dortmund for €23million plus a €3million add-on fee.
“Medical and formal steps to follow soon to seal the deal. Total agreement also with the player, as @Plettigoal @SkySportDE report.”
Eddie Howe has been keen to downplay Newcastle’s chances of adding a major signing this window when grilled by the media. He said earlier this month: “My method is that when you go into every window, you have the mindset that you’re trying to improve the team and the squad if you can.
“That has to be your view, otherwise you’re going to stand still or regress. But these days, it’s changed. It’s what you can do, rather than what you want to do.
“We’re still in the same position, where we’re looking at it and saying ‘Are we able to do anything?’ If we’re not, we’ll go with what we’ve got, and I always say that the players that are currently here are always the most important people."