Arsenal interested in re-signing former academy striker from PSV

Arsenal are being linked with re-signing former academy player Donyell Malen, who left North London for PSV in a £540,000 deal.

Malen left the Gunners in 2017 after failing to get regular first team football.

Now aged 21, the Dutchman is reportedly wanted by a host of top European clubs with Arsenal among them.

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According to Dutch outlet Soccernews (via Daily Star), Arsenal chiefs are preparing to launch a bid for the young forward.

Malen has been in exciting form since joining PSV. He’s scored 33 goals and assisted 16 more in 78 appearances, with that form being the reason that big clubs are circling.

It’s unclear at the moment just how much Malen would cost Arsenal. He’s valued by Transfermarkt at £22.5 million, but could cost in excess of £30 million if a bidding war starts.

The other elite club that is known to be interested is Italian giants Juventus. They have close contact with his agent, Mino Raiola, meaning the Gunners could have stiff competition for a move.

Malen joined Arsenal from Ajax’s famed academy while he was still a teenager. He played 24 times for Arsenal’s U23 side, scoring seven goals in that period.

His lack of first team opportunities meant he was soon searching for a move back home, however. A deal was reached with PSV not long afterwards as Arsenal coaches didn’t think the player had the talent to become a first team regular.

Malen has proved his doubters wrong and is now thriving in the Eredivisie. He is one of the hottest prospects in the league and has started this season brightly too.

Malen has scored five goals in seven appearances in all competitions, helping PSV get off to a good start in the league.

They sit top of the Eredivisie as things stand, ahead of rivals Ajax.

It looks like Arsenal could spend big in the coming months to regain a former academy striker.