Donyell Malen

Donyell Malen has been one of European football's more travelled forwards over the past decade — Ajax academy, Arsenal youth, a breakthrough at PSV, then four seasons at Borussia Dortmund where he reached the Champions League final in 2023-24. Born in Wieringen in 1999 to a family of Surinamese descent, he is a player defined by pace, directness, and a natural goal-scoring instinct.

Malen is versatile enough to play across the front line — left, right, centre — and his combination of speed and technique makes him a constant threat in behind defences. A former Ajax youth coach compared him to Alexis Sánchez for his ability to contribute both goals and assists. He has 51 caps for the Netherlands and was part of the team that won a bronze medal at Euro 2024.

At Roma on loan, Malen brings top-level Champions League experience and the kind of directness that makes defenders uncomfortable. He is exactly the type of wide forward who benefits from playing alongside a target striker like Dovbyk.