Liverpool are set to enter the race for Arsenal target Donyell Malen.
According to the German publication Bild, Premier League giants Liverpool are set to challenge rivals Arsenal for the signature of Borussia Dortmund star Donyell Malen.
The Dutch international enjoyed a mixed campaign at Euro 2024 and scored just two goals in four appearances as the Netherlands made it to the semifinal stage of the tournament. However, both goals came in the Group Stage clash against Romania and Malen has been largely ineffective otherwise.
His inconsistency is not something new, given that the 2023/24 campaign at Borussia Dortmund was also a mixed bag of results. The 25-year-old scored 15 goals and assisted five more in 38 games across all competitions for the Bundesliga giants, but inconsistency remained a key concern that he failed to address.
Dortmund are ready to let the player leave this summer, alerting both Arsenal and Liverpool to his availability. Available for a rather modest £34 million, he could be a bargain in the right setup. However, neither English side has yet placed an official bid and it remains to be seen if the pace will pick up now that the Europan Championships have come to a close.
Arne Slot will be familiar with Malen given his exploits in the Dutch Eredivisie. The 25-year-old can play anywhere along the frontline, although he was largely deployed out on the right flank at Signal Iduna Park. This augurs well for the Reds who need a reliable backup for Mohamed Salah out wide.
While Malen can be an electric player on his day, his inability to remain inconsistent and ghost in games remains a concern. Given the high-level Liverpool compete at, the inability to make a clinical difference even on a bad day could cost us dear.
While Liverpool are keen, it is Arsenal who might have the edge in the race to sign Malen. He spent two years in the Gunners’ youth setup from 2015 to 2017 before moving to PSV Eindhoven. It is in the Eredivisie that he proved his worth as a tricky attacker. While that reputation has taken a hit in Germany, Malen is young to reignite the fire that burns in him and rekindle what can be a successful career.
The Gunners need a deputy for Bukayo Saka. The Englishman has been playing nonstop for the Gunners in the last two years and is also coming off a busy summer at Euro 2024. Burnout remains a concern and it is no surprise that they are keen on Malen. If anything, the Dutchman already knows what it means to wear a Gunners jersey.
While beating a direct title rival to a player is always good as far as bragging rights go, serious doubts exist given Malen’s inconsistency. It would not be the end of the world should we lose to Arsenal in the race for the Oranje attacker.
Malen has in the past been compared to an Arsenal hero, Alexis Sanchez. There was severe disappointment at Anfield when the Gunners beat us to the Chilean in the summer of 2014. However, should history repeat itself with Malen, there is little reason for Liverpool to be concerned. There are better players out there who can do a job for us.
There was only one Dutch winger who shone at the Euros this summer and it was not Malen. Thankfully we already have that standout player strutting his stuff on Merseyside.
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