Aston Villa have agreed to a £22m deal to sign former Arsenal player, and he may make his debut against the Gunners.

If the transfer is completed on time, Malen could make his debut for Villa against his former club, Arsenal, this weekend.

Unai Emery’s team had already seen one offer of around £15 million rejected, but their new bid has now been accepted.

Chief football correspondent Alex Crook believes that Malen would be a solid addition to Villa if the deal goes through.

“He brings valuable experience,” Crook commented on talkSPORT. “A full Dutch international, with plenty of European football experience.”

“He’s been part of a Borussia Dortmund team that is consistently near the top of the Bundesliga, so he could be a good signing for Villa.”

Villa have been seeking a versatile forward capable of playing across the front three since Moussa Diaby’s £60m move to Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad in the summer.

Diaby, who joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen just 18 months ago, often partnered with Ollie Watkins up front or played on the right wing.

However, Villa’s need to comply with UEFA’s profit and sustainability regulations, which differ from the Premier League’s, led to Diaby’s departure.

Villa signed Jaden Philogene from Hull City last summer, but the 22-year-old has only started two Premier League matches this season out of 19.

Leon Bailey has been the primary right-wing option, with John McGinn and Morgan Rogers also featuring in that role at times.

Bailey has struggled to replicate last season’s form, failing to score in 22 appearances across all competitions.

At the same point last season, Bailey had netted six goals and provided five assists in the league.

The potential signing of Malen would ease some pressure on Bailey and offer competition, which could help the Jamaican regain form.

Malen joined Dortmund from PSV Eindhoven in 2021, having scored 55 goals in 116 appearances for the Dutch club.

The 25-year-old was Dortmund’s top scorer in the Bundesliga last season, with 13 goals.

However, Malen has started only ten of Dortmund’s 22 matches this season and may see a better chance of regular play at Villa.

Malen’s time with Emery’s side would also mark his return to English football, as he was part of Arsenal’s youth system from 2015 to 2017 and played in the Youth Premier League, FA Youth Cup, and UEFA Youth League.

He made his senior debut for Arsenal in a 2017 pre-season friendly against Sydney FC but never played a competitive match for the club before being sold to PSV in August 2017.