Liverpool are reportedly targeting Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen as they prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 season. 



With the Reds currently in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/liverpool-usa-tour-2024-tickets-and-schedule-20240226-WST-491740.html">United States for their preseason tour</a>, new manager Arne Slot is using this time to evaluate his squad and identify key areas needing reinforcement. 



The potential acquisition of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/man-united-dortmund-set-to-meet-regarding-player-swap-deal-20231208-WST-475901.html">Malen</a>, a former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule">Arsenal</a> youth player, highlights their strategy to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new campaign.



The 45-year-old Dutch manager who previously led Feyenoord, took over from Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season. 



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/liverpool-announces-squad-for-summer-friendlies-in-usa/">Slot</a>’s arrival marks a new chapter for Liverpool; he is keen to assess his squad’s strengths and weaknesses during their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/liverpool-tickets-for-us-tour-schedule-dates-host-cities/">preseason tour in the US</a>. Despite the departures of Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, and Adrian, the Reds have yet to make any new signings in the current transfer window. 



However, they will likely be active before the transfer deadline on September 2, with Malen emerging as a prime target.



<a href="https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-interested-signing-34m-arsenal-29622215" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liverpool Echo</a> say that the Reds have reignited their interest in Donyell Malen following his return from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule">Euro 2024</a> with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/netherlands-national-team-tv-schedule-20221020-WST-400055.html">Netherlands</a>. The Anfield side had previously inquired about the 25-year-old’s availability, but they paused their pursuit until the conclusion of the European Championship. 



Now, with the tournament over, they are preparing an official bid for Malen’s services.



But <a href="https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/07/26/1595513/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CaughtOffside</a> also suggests that Slot may face stiff competition for Malen’s signature, particularly from Arsenal. The Gunners are reportedly interested in re-signing the Dutch striker, who came through their youth ranks before transferring to PSV in 2018. 



Both Premier League clubs are contemplating triggering Malen’s &nbsp;$51 million release clause, which could lead to a potentially fierce bidding war.



<h2>How has Malen fared with Borussia Dortmund?</h2>



Despite Liverpool being the frontrunners to sign Malen, reports indicate that the Dutch international would prefer a move back to London if both Liverpool and Arsenal make offers. 



Malen’s contract with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/borussia-dortmund-tv-schedule">Borussia Dortmund</a> runs until the summer of 2026; the German club is not actively seeking to offload him this transfer window. However, meeting his release clause could see Dortmund part with the player.



The 25-year-old had a productive season with Die Borussen; featuring in 27 Bundesliga matches, scoring 13 goals, and providing one assist. He was also instrumental in their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-uefa-champions-league-and-europa-league-on-us-tv-and-internet">Champions League</a> campaign, helping the team reach the final. 



Additionally, he contributed two goals in four matches for the Netherlands during the European Championship, showcasing his international pedigree.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240728_WST_519009_Arne-Slot-1200x675_07beeb63.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-519037" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Arne-Slot-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Arne-Slot-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Arne-Slot-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Arne-Slot-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Arne-Slot.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Arne Slot is looking to strengthen his Liverpool side.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Who does Malen prefer to join?</h2>



Dortmund signed Malen from PSV in 2021 for around $38 million; meeting his&nbsp;$51 million release clause would allow them to recoup most of their initial investment. Liverpool, who view Malen as a potential long-term <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/liverpool-fail-in-attempt-to-lure-salahs-long-term-replacement/">replacement for Mohamed Salah</a>, are keen to strengthen their attacking options. The Dutch forward’s versatility across the forward line makes him an attractive option for Liverpool’s tactical setup.



However, Liverpool must navigate the complexities of competing with a domestic rival. Arsenal, having already expressed interest, may leverage Malen’s preference for a return to London to their advantage. 



The Gunners see him as a valuable addition to their squad, especially given his previous ties to the club and his admiration for Arsenal legends like Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.



Photo credit: IMAGO / Propaganda Photo IMAGO / Laci Perenyi

Liverpool look to team up Dutch Euro 2024 star with Arne Slot

Liverpool are reportedly setting their sights on Borussia Dortmund's forward Donyell Malen as they prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

Liverpool look to team up Dutch Euro 2024 star with Arne Slot - World Soccer Talk

Borussia Dortmund and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> are ready to engage in direct talks involving a possible player swap deal. According to Bild reporter Christian Falk, the potential agreement would involve Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen. Player trades rarely happen in European soccer, but this particular deal would make sense.



Sancho has been locked out of the United team since early September. The English winger claimed that he was a scapegoat for the club’s early season struggles following a loss to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a>. Manager Erik ten Hag has since opted to banish the youngster from his matchday squad. 



The Dutch coach has been open to reintroducing Sancho back into the first team if the player apologizes for his previous comments. Sancho, however, has resisted the move. The standoff between the two continues.



<h2>Sancho has been a bust since his huge move back to England</h2>



United previously purchased Sancho from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/borussia-dortmund-tv-schedule/">Dortmund</a> for around $100 million in the summer of 2021. At the time, pundits praised the move. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/england-national-team-tv-schedule/">England</a> international was one of the top young talents in the world. Nevertheless, the move has been a bust so far for both the player and United.



Sancho has recorded just 12 goals and six assists in 82 total appearances for the Red Devils. This means that the winger has directly contributed to a United goal about once every four-and-a-half matches. However, during his time at Dortmund, Sancho produced drastically different results. The playmaker had either a goal or assist for the German giants just over once a game in four seasons with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a> side.



There is no secret that the Red Devils are willing to sell Sancho in the January transfer market. After all, it has not clicked for the player in England. Dortmund, on the other hand, hopes its former star can recreate his magic back in Germany.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231208_WST_475901_Malen-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-476005" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Malen-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Malen-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Malen-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Malen.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Donyell Malen is a sensible swap target for Manchester United, even if it comes at a net loss with Sancho leaving.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Dortmund names Malen in player swap with United</h2>



United’s interest in Malen also makes sense as well. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/netherlands-national-team-tv-schedule/">Netherlands</a> international has admirers across Europe. He would fit in with just about any top team. The 24-year-old versatile forward can play across any of the front three positions. Malen has racked up five goals and two assists in all competitions so far this season.



Ten Hag is also familiar with the Dutch forward. Malen previously played for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/psv-eindhoven-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-the-us/">PSV Eindhoven</a> in the Netherlands when the manager was at the helm of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ajax-tv-schedule/">Ajax</a>. Malen helped his club top Ten Hag’s Ajax for the Dutch title in the coach’s first season with the team. The two also obviously hail from the same nation as well.



The aforementioned report out of Germany claims that Dortmund is willing to sell Malen to United, or any other club, for around $32 million. However, the German team would also be open to swapping the Dutchman for Sancho as well. This valuation would be just a fraction of what the Red Devils previously paid Dortmund to grab Sancho just two years ago.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Man United, Dortmund set to meet regarding player swap deal

Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly meeting to discuss a potential player swap involving two star wingers.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Donyell Malen"

News

Liverpool look to team up Dutch Euro 2024 star with Arne Slot

Borussia Dortmund

Man United, Dortmund set to meet regarding player swap deal