Premier League bound? Aston Villa prepared to offer £25m for Donyell Malen as talks with Borussia Dortmund begin

Villa are keen to sign a versatile forward this month and have made Malen their number one target, reports The Telegraph. The Dutchman has scored five goals for Dortmund this season but has only started three of their last 10 matches and could get more playing time at Villa Park. Talks have taken place over a £25m move but the Midlands club are said to have more than one target should they be priced out of the deal.

Villa have relied on Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran for goals this season after the summer sale of Moussa Diaby and a drop-off in form for Leon Bailey. As Emery aims to juggle competing for European qualification with ongoing Champions League and FA Cup campaigns, targeting a forward who can play anywhere across the frontline and ease the burden on that duo makes sense.

Malen has already had a taste of English football having been a member of Arsenal's academy from 2015 to 2017. The 25-year-old impressed in the Gunners' youth squads across domestic and European competitions, eventually earning himself a place on the first-team's pre-season tour of Australia and China in 2017. That was his last action in an Arsenal shirt, though, with a move to PSV agreed in August 2017.

Malen is currently on the Bundesliga's winter break and Villa are unlikely to rush into a deal considering he would be unavailable for their two remaining Champions League matches this month. Any move could have a knock-on effect at the club, though, with Sky Sports reporting that Ipswich are interested in revisiting their summer interest in winger Jaden Philogene. The 22-year-old could be allowed to leave for the Tractor Boys if Malen or an alternative does arrive.