Aston Villa boss expects Roma to sign Malen permanently

Paulo Dybala's future at AS Roma continues to be unclear, with Boca Juniors interested in signing the Argentine forward. Recent reports suggested a preliminary contract agreement between Dybala and Boca had been reached, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has stated that no such deal currently exists between the player and the Argentine club. Boca Juniors certainly view Dybala as a major target, though discussions remain internal to the club at present. Dybala has not yet approved any negotiations for a transfer away from Roma. The 21-shirt player, who returned to full availability under Gasperini following an injury sustained in late January, is prioritising finishing the current season with the Giallorossi in the best possible manner. His focus remains on Roma's campaign rather than exploring potential moves elsewhere. The Argentine will make a final decision on his future only after the season concludes. Until then, uncertainty will likely persist around whether Dybala remains at the Stadio Olimpico or pursues a move to South America.

Roma returned to training at Trigoria following a two-day rest to prepare for Monday's Serie A match against Fiorentina at the Olimpico (kick-off 20:45). Midfielder Koné returned to group training and will be available for the fixture, a boost for coach Gasperini. However, Pellegrini and Dovbyk underwent differentiated training. The match will be officiated by Zufferli, whose previous encounter with Roma saw Celik sent off in a Cagliari fixture. Off the pitch, Roma continues to manage significant changes. The search for a new sporting director intensifies, with D'Amico reported as the primary candidate to replace Massara. Alternative names mentioned include Manna and Sogliano. On the transfer front, several movements are being tracked: Bournemouth (reportedly linked with Paulo Pinto) are pursuing Ndicka, while the Brandt transfer interest has cooled. Should Manu depart, the club's midfield target is understood to be Ismael. Separately, Paulo Dybala is reportedly moving toward a transfer to Boca Juniors. Additionally, Dan Friedkin has approved an approach for Alajbegovic.

Roma's transfer activity dominated the day's news. Paulo Dybala is reportedly a target for Boca Juniors, while Roma is progressing toward exercising a redemption clause to retain Donyell Malen. Defender N'Dicka has attracted interest from Premier League clubs. The news reflects Roma's ongoing efforts to balance squad retention with strategic recruitment. Specific details on timelines and fee structures remain unclear.

Roma's transfer activity dominated the day's news. Paulo Dybala is reportedly a target for Boca Juniors, while Roma is progressing toward exercising a redemption clause to retain Donyell Malen. Defender N'Dicka has attracted interest from Premier League clubs. The news reflects Roma's ongoing efforts to balance squad retention with strategic recruitment. Specific details on timelines and fee structures remain unclear.

Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa, has spoken positively about Donyell Malen's transfer to AS Roma during the winter transfer window. Malen joined Roma on a loan deal with a right of purchase, leaving Villa after competition from fellow striker Watkins limited his playing time. Emery explained the reasoning behind allowing the Dutch forward to depart, stating that at Roma, Malen has found the ideal environment to develop his qualities. Emery believes Roma will exercise the option to make Malen's move permanent given his performance since arriving in the capital. The player has featured regularly for the Giallorossi, allowing him to showcase his abilities more consistently than he could at Villa Park. This move represents a fresh start for Malen at a club where he has the opportunity to be a primary attacking option. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of Villa's Europa League semifinal first leg against Nottingham Forest, Emery said: "Malen is an excellent player. Here he had competition from Watkins, so he played less for that reason and I thought he should play more as a striker. At times he played alongside Watkins, so I believe at Roma he is finding the perfect spot and has played all the matches to exploit his qualities and score goals. I am very happy for him because he is also a good lad. And I hope he continues to score goals." Emery confirmed the arrangement: "It is a loan with a right of purchase that Roma, given the results, will exercise. And for this reason I repeat that I am very happy for him, because he is a good lad and a good player."

Former striker Nicola Ventola has expressed strong admiration for Donyell Malen during an episode of the podcast Viva El Futbol. Ventola, who played for Bari, Inter, and Atalanta during his career, highlighted Malen's technical quality and work rate since the attacker's arrival at Roma in January's transfer window. Malen has already scored 11 league goals this season. Ventola praised Malen's movement and positioning, noting his intelligence in reading defensive play and his ability to find space away from the penalty area. He emphasized that Malen consistently makes the correct decisions in his first touch and positioning relative to defenders, even when his back is turned. The former attacker described Malen as a player he "did not know" to this level before watching him play for Roma. Ventola said: "Malen does everything right, because he also has intensity in the right movements: the first touch in plays, but not just in the area when he scores, precisely how he gets into position. He always knows where the defender is, even with his back turned. Many times I made that movement wrong, because maybe I thought he was following me; he instead always makes the right movement and manages, with his posture, to always be in a position to attack, even when far from the area. So he is a player that honestly I did not know like this: he is extraordinary. What surprises me is that you never see him tired. This surprises me, because he is a sprinter: he sprints, sprints and sprints... and you always see him rested, always sharp."