Aston Villa increase bid for “unstoppable” Diaby replacement

Aston Villa have had a patchy first half of their Premier League marketing campaign, leaving them eighth within the division after 20 video games performed. The Villains have gained 9 instances, drawn 5 and misplaced six, sitting on 32 factors, simply 4 factors off a prime 4 spot.

Unai Emery’s facet additionally sit fifth within the UEFA Champions League standings, with two video games left to play within the group stage of this competitors. January could possibly be an necessary month for Villa, with a purpose to greatest equip them for the second half of the season, to compete on all fronts.

One space Emery might look to strengthen is his vast forwards, having misplaced Moussa Diaby in the summertime, who did provide one thing completely different when enjoying in vast areas, in addition to the sale of summer season signing Jaden Philogene, who did not reside as much as expectations.

Aston Villa switch information

In accordance with reports from Sky Sports News, Aston Villa have elevated their bid to signal Borussia Dortmund ahead, Donyell Malen.

Negotiations are anticipated to proceed, as Villa’s new provide is alleged to be round £21m, while Dortmund need nearer to £25m.

Tottenham are one other group who’ve been linked to a move for Malen in current days, however Villa appear to be forward within the race for the 25-year-old ahead, already having a bid rejected earlier within the window.

Malen has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 5 targets, offering one help and totalling 957 minutes performed to this point.

Aston Villa’s good Diaby alternative

The 25-year-old – who has been labelled “unstoppable” prior to now by Jacek Kulig – might symbolize the right alternative for Moussa Diaby, ought to he finally make the transfer from Dortmund.

After signing within the 2023 summer season switch window from Bayer Leverkusen, Diaby was offered to Saudi Professional League facet, Al Ittihad, within the 2024 summer season switch window, for a fee of around £50m. The Frenchman made 54 appearances for the club, scoring ten targets, offering 9 assists and totaling 3,144 minutes performed.

Diaby was used as a flexible attacker for Emery final season, making appearances as a centre-forward, an attacking midfielder, off the suitable and off the left. Malen might present related versatility while additionally offering an identical toolset to Diaby on this Villa facet.

Since Diaby left the membership, Villa have lacked a few of their transitional risk, utilizing the outlet of Diaby to stretch groups and blend up their development routes. He additionally supplied good output in his first and solely season, scoring 0.30 targets per 90 and offering 0.27 assists per 90.

While Malen has worse development numbers, he would provide the identical outlet tendencies together with his operating energy in behind, additionally bringing an identical stage of output, scoring 0.39 targets per 90 this season and offering 0.23 assists per 90. To not point out, the Dutchman additionally brings the next shot quantity and completes extra profitable take-ons.

To this point this season, Malen has proven his versatility throughout the Dortmund entrance line, enjoying off each the left and proper, in addition to via the center at instances.

This versatility combined with the tempo and energy he presents in transition would enable Villa to successfully substitute Diaby, maybe six-months later than deliberate.

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