Donyell Malen makes around £22m Aston Villa exit to Roma | OneFootball

Donyell Malen has become Aston Villa’s first confirmed summer departure, completing a move to Roma for around £22m.

Roma confirmed on Tuesday they had signed the Netherlands forward on a four-year contract after a hugely successful loan.

Malen struck 15 goals in 20 appearances after joining on loan in January, almost a year after arriving at Villa from Borussia Dortmund.

He managed 10 goals in 46 outings for Unai Emery’s side, starting only 14 times. The loan contained an obligation to buy if Roma qualified for next season’s Champions League, which was secured with a 2-0 win over Verona last weekend when Malen opened the scoring.

Midfielder Enzo Barrenechea is expected to complete a £13m permanent switch to Benfica in the coming days.

The Argentine joined Villa from Juventus when Douglas Luiz headed the other way for £42.5m two summers ago. Barrenechea has not played for Villa’s first team, spending both seasons out on loan, the first with Valencia.

Luiz is currently back at Villa on loan from Juventus after a January return. Emery must decide whether to trigger a £23m option to buy the midfielder, who made more than 200 appearances in his first spell at the club.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com