Donyell Malen update as private feelings revealed amid Villa transfer talks and decision confirmed
Aston Villa transfer target Donyell Malen is set to be included in Borussia Dortmund's squad to face Bayer Leverkusen
Borussia Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin plans to include Donyell Malen in his squad to face Bayer Leverkusen on Friday despite the forward agreeing to join Aston Villa this month.
Unai Emery wants to recruit the 25-year-old to add more pace and versatility to his attacking options. Having finished last season as Dortmund's top scorer, the Bundesliga side are sticking to their price tag of around £25m.
So far, there has not been a breakthrough in talks between the two clubs, but Malen has agreed personal terms with Villa ahead of a proposed switch to the Premier League.
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"Donny will be part of the squad and of course he is a candidate to start," Sahin said in his press conference. "The situation is that in football you have to wait and see whether something happens. The fact is that he's our player and he's also in contention for the game on Friday.
"I honestly see him as very focused. Donny knows that too and he trains well and I also know that he will be there on Friday."
Malen's contract with Dortmund expires at the end of next season and he is believed to be excited about the possibility of playing Premier League football.
After scoring 13 goals in the Bundesliga last season and helping the German club reach the Champions League final, he has struggled for form this term having only started six league matches.
Malen has scored three times in the Bundesliga and twice in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Sturm Graz.