Arsenal’s interest in acquiring the services of Donyell Malen is heating up, with plans underway to dispatch scouts to monitor his performances in the upcoming matches.
The Gunners are gearing up to bolster their attacking options during the summer transfer window, and among the array of names linked with the club, Borussia Dortmund’s standout, Malen, has emerged as the latest target in the Arsenal rumor mill.
Donyell Malen is a familiar name to Arsenal supporters, having spent two formative years with the club from 2015 to 2017. Hailing from Ajax’s academy, Malen showcased immense promise during his tenure at Hale End, establishing himself as one of the academy’s most gifted prospects.
Despite his talent, Malen’s quest for first-team opportunities in 2017 was met with hesitation from then-manager Arsene Wenger, who deemed him unprepared for the senior squad. Subsequently, Malen opted to depart Arsenal, with Wenger sanctioning his transfer to PSV for a modest sum of £500,000.
Fast forward nearly seven years, and Malen now plies his trade with Borussia Dortmund, where he has enjoyed a productive season, tallying 12 goals across all competitions. His performances have even garnered praise from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
With Malen catching the eye of Arsenal’s recruitment team, reports from GiveMeSport suggest that the Gunners, under the guidance of Edu Gaspar, will deploy scouts to observe Malen’s displays for Dortmund in upcoming fixtures against the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and Bayer Leverkusen.
While Malen may not be the primary target on Arsenal’s wishlist, he is perceived as a viable and financially prudent option for the summer transfer window, given that he could be acquired for a fee of just £26 million.
In a recent interview with Voetbal Zone, Malen hinted at a potential return to Arsenal, affirming his fondness for the club and expressing a desire to reunite with his former team.
When asked to name a club he would love to join upon leaving Signal Iduna Park, Malen swiftly singled out Arsenal, citing them as his favorite team and expressing a genuine sentiment towards the club.
His remarks shed light on his enduring affection for Arsenal, stemming from his youth days at the club and his aspirations to establish himself as a first-team player there.
As Arsenal intensifies their pursuit of attacking reinforcements, the prospect of Malen’s return to the Emirates Stadium seems increasingly plausible, fueled by both the club’s interest and the player’s own sentiments towards reuniting with his former side.
