Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly monitoring AS Roma forward Donyell Malen ahead of a possible move next year, according to Hooligan Soccer. The report claims Chelsea and City are building scouting files on the 27-year-old Netherlands international, while Arsenal have already made informal enquiries. Roma, however, are said to be holding out for a fee in the region of €60-65 million during the January window.
Malen’s Rebirth in Rome
Malen’s career has been reignited since leaving Aston Villa for Roma, initially on loan in January before a permanent €25 million switch last summer. He played a key role in Roma’s top-four finish in 2025/26, sealing Champions League qualification. This season he has been even more prolific, netting six goals and adding an assist in just five matches as Roma sit top of Serie A. Across all competitions for the Giallorossi, he now boasts 21 goals and four assists from 25 outings — numbers too good for Europe’s elite to ignore.
Why Three Premier League Giants Want Him
Arsenal could use a fresh attacking option in January, with Viktor Gyokeres yet to hit top form and the club short on left-sided cover following the summer exits of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Chelsea’s interest is harder to justify given their crowded forward line, having kept both Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto, alongside three recognised strikers under Xabi Alonso. City’s need looks clearer: with Omar Marmoush off to Tottenham on loan, Erling Haaland is currently their only senior striker, making Malen a sensible deputy.
In my view, City make the most sense as a destination — they have a genuine void to fill, whereas Chelsea’s pursuit feels more like squad-hoarding than necessity. Given Roma have tied Malen down until 2030, they hold all the leverage, and I’d expect any deal to run closer to their €65 million asking price than a cut-price bargain.
