Donyell Malen edges closer to Roma move as Robinio Vaz signs from Marseille

Aston Villa striker Donyell Malen arrived in the Italian capital on Wednesday night as he edged a step closer to completing a move to Roma.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international greeted fans at Ciampino airport, signing autographs and posing for selfies in advance of an anticipated €2m loan deal that will include an obligation to buy for €28m (£24m).

Malen, who arrived in the west Midlands last January from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £21m, has become an increasingly peripheral figure at Villa Park, where he has started just five Premier League games this season.

Donyell Malen eyes No 9 role at Roma

The Dutchman, who is eager to play as a central striker but has found himself playing second fiddle to Ollie Watkins, has scored 10 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for Unai Emery’s side.

Malen will become the second forward signing in a matter of days after Roma completed the signing of Robinio Vaz from Ligue 1 side Marseille. 

The 18-year-old France youth international has agreed a four-year contract after a €25m fee was agreed between the clubs earlier this week. The deal for a player regarded as one of the rising stars of French football is understood to include a 10% sell-on clause.

What did Robinio Vaz say about joining Roma?

“It’s a very happy moment,” said Vaz. “It will help my development. I want to prove myself here.”

Roma will hope Vaz can replicate the same rapid progress he made after joining Marseille from the youth academy of third-tier French side Sochaux in the summer of 2024. The teenager made an instant impact on his Ligue 1 debut last year, winning a penalty in a draw with Strasbourg, and went on to score four goals in 22 appearances for the club.

Roberto de Zerbi, the Marseille manager, spoke admiringly of Vaz’s energy and determination, but dropped him to the bench last month after no agreement could be found over a proposed contract extension.

‘Robinio Vaz found the ideal environment at Marseille’

“Robinio Vaz found the ideal environment to flourish at the Olympique training centre,” Marseille said in a statement. “His career illustrates the club’s ability to nurture the emergence of top-level players. 

“The club would like to warmly thank Robinio Vaz and wish him all the best for the rest of his career with AS Roma. True to its strategy, OM continues to develop its players and build the club’s future with ambition.”

The arrivals of Malen and Vaz come after Roma lost out to Atalanta in the race to sign Italy international Giacomo Raspadori from Atlético Madrid. 

Roma answer Gian Piero Gasperini’s call for attacking additions

The club’s latest transfer activity marks a welcome development for manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who has been unconvinced by the performances of Evan Ferguson, the Republic of Ireland forward on loan from Brighton. Gasperini has been vocal about the need for greater firepower since his arrival at the Stadio Olimpico last summer.

“A lot will depend on how strong we are in attack,” he said then. “It’s not just true for us, but for all teams, you see that the biggest investments are made on the forwards. The teams with the best strikers are the most competitive.”

Roma are currently fifth in the Serie A table, level with Juventus on 39 points, and just a point behind Napoli and second-placed AC Milan.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have been linked with a move for Tammy Abraham, who is on loan at Besiktas from Roma this season.