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 received 9 instances, drawn 5 and misplaced six, sitting on 32 factors, simply 4 factors off a high 4 spot.

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

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

Aston Villa switch information

In line with stories from Sky Sports activities Information, Aston Villa have elevated their bid to signal Borussia Dortmund ahead, Donyell Malen.

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

Tottenham are one other workforce who’ve been linked to a transfer 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 substitute

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

After signing within the 2023 summer time switch window from Bayer Leverkusen, Diaby was offered to Saudi Professional League aspect, Al Ittihad, within the 2024 summer time switch window, for a charge of round £50m. The Frenchman made 54 appearances for the membership, 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 precise and off the left. Malen may present related versatility while additionally offering the same toolset to Diaby on this Villa aspect.

Since Diaby left the membership, Villa have lacked a few of their transitional menace, 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 along with his working energy in behind, additionally bringing the same 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 a better shot quantity and completes extra profitable take-ons.

Up to now 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 provides in transition would permit Villa to successfully exchange Diaby, maybe six-months later than deliberate.