As the summer transfer window heats up, Aston Villa are reportedly lining up a move for Roma forward Matias Soule, following the confirmation that Donyell Malen will make his switch to the Italian capital permanent. This potential deal adds another layer of intrigue to what has been a busy period of player movement between the two clubs.
The domino effect began with Inter's victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final, which triggered the obligation to buy clause in Malen's loan deal with Roma. With Roma now guaranteed at least a spot in the Europa League—one of the key conditions in the agreement—the Giallorossi will pay Villa a fee of €25 million, on top of the €2 million they already spent to bring the Dutch striker to the Stadio Olimpico for the second half of the 2025-26 season. Villa will also retain a 10% sell-on clause, ensuring they benefit from any future profit Roma makes on Malen.
Malen, who has impressed since his arrival in Serie A, is set to sign a four-year contract running until the summer of 2030, with a net salary of around €4 million per year. It's a solid return on investment for Villa, but the story doesn't end there.
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Premier League side are now turning their attention to Matias Soule, the talented Argentine forward who has been making waves at Roma. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a strong campaign, notching six goals and five assists in 31 league appearances this season. With his creativity and eye for goal, Soule could be the perfect addition to Villa's attacking arsenal as they look to build on their top-flight ambitions.
The allure of the Premier League is reportedly a major factor in Soule's thinking, and he is expected to meet with Roma's ownership in the coming days to discuss his future. For Villa, this represents a chance to land a player with significant upside, though they'll need to move quickly. Roma are reportedly open to offers in the region of €40 million for the Argentine, a figure that reflects the €26 million plus bonuses they paid Juventus to bring him to Rome two summers ago.
If a deal goes through, it would mark a significant shift in the relationship between Villa and Roma, with the English club potentially reinvesting the Malen windfall into a younger, dynamic talent like Soule. For fans, it's a storyline worth watching as the transfer window unfolds—one that could reshape both teams' fortunes heading into the new season.