News Focus
- Donyell Malen joins AS Roma permanently from Aston Villa for €25 million
- The transfer obligation was triggered by Europa League qualification
- Inter Milan’s Coppa Italia final victory secured Roma’s European spot
- The Dutch striker has scored 13 goals in 16 Serie A appearances
Dutch forward Donyell Malen will remain at AS Roma on a permanent deal. The club has activated the mandatory purchase clause in his loan contract from Aston Villa.
The transfer is worth €25 million. The clause became active after Roma mathematically secured a place in next season’s Europa League.
This European qualification was confirmed following Inter Milan’s victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final. Italian rules state that the cup winners qualify for Europe. Because Inter already secured Champions League football through their league position, their Europa League spot passed to the sixth-placed team in Serie A.
Consequently, both the fifth and sixth-placed teams will compete in the Europa League next term. Roma currently occupy fifth position. They share 67 points with fourth-placed AC Milan. Como remain in pursuit with 65 points and two fixtures left to play.
Had Lazio won the cup final, only the fifth-placed side would have entered the Europa League. The team in sixth would have dropped to the Conference League instead.
Malen moved to the Stadio Olimpico on loan during the January window. The 26-year-old has enjoyed an excellent spell in the Italian capital. He has found the net 13 times and created two goals in just 16 league matches.