Reports in Italy claim that Aston Villa are hoping to secure a deal for Roma forward Matias Soule following the confirmation that Donyell Malen will move in the opposite direction on a permanent deal.
Villa to discuss Soule with Roma after completing Malen sale
Following Inter’s victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday evening, the obligation to buy clause in Malen’s deal with Roma has now been activated. That is because Roma are now guaranteed a spot in the Europa League at a minimum, one of the conditions in Malen’s deal, and the striker has already played well over 50% of the matches he has been available for since moving to the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma will have to pay Roma a fee of €25m on top of the €2m they spent to sign the Dutchman on loan for the second half of the 2025-26 season. Villa will also retain a 10% sell-on clause.
PARMA, ITALY – MAY 10: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AS Roma at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 10, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Malen will sign a four-year contract until the summer of 2030 with a net salary in the region of €4m per year.
According to updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, this might not be where the business between Roma and Aston Villa ends. The Premier League side are said to be interested in a move for Soule, who is reportedly set to meet with the Giallorossi ownership in the coming days in order to discuss his future.
The idea of playing in the Premier League is reportedly an enticing prospect for the 23-year-old, who has six goals and five assists to his name from 31 league appearances this season.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Matias Soule of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
According to Thursday’s report, Roma are set to entertain offers in the region of €40m for Soule. The Giallorossi spent a fee of €26m plus bonuses to sign the Argentine from Juventus two summers ago.
If Roma were to sanction a sale of Soule this summer, the list of replacements reportedly includes West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville, RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa and Tottenham Hotspur’s Mathys Tel.