Donyell Malen’s move to Borussia Dortmund could be in danger, after Dormund’s sports director Michael Zorc admitted that PSV’s asking price makes the negotiations difficult.
Malen has been one of the Eredivisie’s break-stars in recent seasons and caught international attention when he registered two assists for the Netherlands at Euro 2020, even though he only started twice.
Shortly after the end of the tournament, interest arose from various clubs, including the Premier League team Liverpool, who were considered to see him as a long-term replacement for one of their top three.
Malen has scored goals for fun at PSV / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
But the Reds have to sell players before they can place any more big bids, and Dortmund, who are in the money after the sale of Jadon Sancho, jumped up to the queue. It seemed as if a move for the 22-year-old was almost made, when reports in Germany and the Netherlands suggested that personal terms had been agreed.
Although the player and Dortmund want the transfer to go through, it seems as if PSV endures more than the Bundesliga side is willing to pay. Voetbal Primeur says that PSV want 30 million euros (26 million pounds) and are not prepared to go on that valuation.
Zorc was asked about the deal, and his verdict was fairly simple. He admitted that the club wants him before the pre-season, but says that it “must fit financially” – otherwise Dortmund can pull the plug on the transfer completely.
“It must be a wise decision,” he said. “It must fit financially, otherwise you have to say no.
“Of course it would be good for the coach if he can join before the training camp. But we do not always have that in our hands.”
Dortmund hesitate that Malen can be back on the table as an alternative for Liverpool. The Reds seem keen to add a new forward this summer, and Malen, who has 55 goals in 116 games for PSV, fits his profile as a young, promising and relatively cheap acquisition.
But of course he could still be on his way to Germany, as there has been no indication that the negotiations between PSV and Dortmund have completely collapsed.
