Donyell Malen continues to score at a rapid rate for Roma, and it has emerged that AC Milan could have tried to sign him.
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As Calciomercato.com recall, Milan went into the winter window with the intention of signing a new forward. Niclas Fullkrug’s arrival was wrapped up quickly but he has turned into a flop, having scored just one goal against Lecce).
It certainly wasn’t easy for sporting director Igli Tare to move without a budget and with the only option being to try and bring in players on loan. Yet, it was the same formula Roma used to acquire Malen from Aston Villa, albeit paid (around €2m).
No Milan for Malen
Malen left Aston Villa in January because he wanted to find a team that would give him the right amount of confidence in his natural role as a striker (rather than a winger). The Dutchman’s abilities were perfectly exploited by Gasperini’s vertical style of play.
The result: 11 goals in 15 appearances in Serie A, plus a goal in the Europa League against Bologna. An intermediary had offered him to Milan, who preferred not to commit to a €27m deal overall and now regret what could have been the right purchase to revive a struggling attack.
Roma’s obligation to buy Malen will come into force if the capital club qualify for the next Europa League or Champions League (but not the Conference League).
Furthermore, a further necessary condition (and already achieved) to transform the option to buy into an obligation is appearance-based: he must play at least 50% of games for 35 minutes or more.