Why Arsenal must attempt to re-sign PSV Eindhoven’s Donyell Malen
According to French outlet Le10 Sport (h/t Daily Mail), Arsenal are interested in re-signing PSV Eindhoven star Donyell Malen this summer.
Donyell Malen, 21, spent two years at Arsenal between 2015 and 2017 but failed to break into the first-team under Arsene Wenger. The Gunners let go of the forward for just £500,000 but he has gone from strength to strength since.
The Dutchman has scored 17 goals in all competitions for PSV Eindhoven, with 11 in just 14 Eredivisie games. He made his international debut for the Netherlands in September last year, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany in Hamburg.
The report (h/t The Daily Mail) adds PSV’s asking price for Malen is £48m, with Arsenal one of the clubs interested.
The Gunners have now climbed up to 9th in the Premier League table, five points behind the top five. Ever since Mikel Arteta walked through the doors of the Emirates Stadium, things have been on the up, but there is still a long way to go if they are to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Arsenal have an exciting attack comprising of players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe, Gabriel Martinelli and Mesut Ozil. Considering the attacking riches at Arteta’s disposal, they have netted only 40 goals in 28 games.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Arsenal’s top scorer this season, with 20 goals across all competitions. However, he has less than 16 months left on his current Emirates deal and is being linked with Barcelona and Inter Milan. (h/t The Daily Mail) The Arsenal boss is keen to keep hold of the Gabonese forward as he wants him to pen fresh terms.
Barring Aubameyang, Arsenal have struggled to find a consistent goalscorer. Alexandre Lacazette has been completely out of form and that has resulted in him seeing limited game time. Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah have done well whenever they have been given a chance but they are too young to be depended upon throughout the campaign.
Having said that, should Aubameyang not commit his future to the club, Arsenal must sell him in the summer and replace him by signing Donyell Malen.
Malen scored 11 goals in 42 appearances for PSV last season. He has exceeded those numbers this campaign, scoring 17 goals already and contributing nine assists across all competitions so far. He has been in fine form in the Eredivisie over the last two seasons and is capable of bolstering the Gunners’ attacking ranks, considering his goalscoring exploits for PSV.
Read more
- Why Arsenal must plot a summer swoop for Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi
- Why Arsenal should plot a summer swoop for Merih Demiral
- Why Arsenal must make a move for Man City defender John Stones
Verdict
The Netherlands international is a talented player who has proven himself to be too good for Eredivisie. Malen has performed well at PSV but he will have a better chance to develop his game at Arsenal under Arteta, who has shown his willingness to nurture young talents, as evident from the opportunities he has given to some academy products this season.
Hence, Arsenal should make a prompt attempt to re-sign Malen this summer.
