Donyell Malen, the Borussia Dortmund striker, has openly expressed his aspiration to play in the English Premier League, hinting at a potential return to his former club, Arsenal.
The Dutch forward originally joined Arsenal from Ajax in 2015, where he showcased his talent in the youth ranks but departed for more senior playing opportunities in the Netherlands before making a first-team appearance for the London club.
Now a key player for Dortmund at 25, Malen’s ambitions include competing in the prestigious Premier League. In a conversation with Voetbalzone, he shared his childhood dream of playing in England, emphasising the allure of the Premier League. When probed about the possibility of rejoining Arsenal, Malen confirmed his interest, reflecting on his initial desire to make it at Arsenal, a club he admired in his youth.
Malen recounted the crucial decisions in his early career, including the challenging choice to leave Arsenal in pursuit of professional playtime, a move he deemed necessary despite his progress and training with Arsenal’s first team as a teenager. He observed his peers advancing into professional careers, which influenced his decision to seek playing opportunities elsewhere.
Reports from Sport BILD suggest that Dortmund might be looking to offload Malen in the upcoming summer as part of a team overhaul, with a valuation of around €50 million (£43 million) attached to him. This development opens the door for Malen’s potential return to the Premier League, with Arsenal being a possible destination.
Malen had an electric start to him time after leaving Arsenal, scoring 19 goals and assisting 8 in a season for PSV. He then moved to Dortmund and his transition was slow, but this season he has already notched up 10 league goals.
Malen’s ability to play on the wings as well as through the middle could appeal to Mikel Arteta, who likes multi-functional players.