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Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen opens door to Arsenal return

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 01 March 2024

Dortmund forward Malen opens door to Arsenal return

Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen says that he would be open to a return to Arsenal, a club that he represented during his youth days.

Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen has left the door open for a return to Arsenal in the future.

Malen is currently in his third season at Westfalenstadion, contributing 31 goals and 18 assists from his 103 appearances in all competitions.

Although his best form arguably came in 2022-23 when Dortmund almost won the Bundesliga, 12 strikes have been netted during the current campaign.

However, despite making 22 starts in league and European fixtures, speculation persists that the Netherlands international may move elsewhere in the summer.

As it stands, there are just under two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, realistically leaving all parties in a position where they will begin to contemplate their next move.

Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 20, 2024 © Reuters

In an interview with Voetbalzone, Malen has acknowledged that he would give serious consideration to returning to Arsenal if there was a mutual interest.

Between 2015 and 2017, Malen was part of the youth setup at the Gunners, featuring on 57 occasions for Arsenal's Under-18 and Under-23 sides before leaving for PSV Eindhoven without making a senior appearance.

Although the versatile attacker is happy with life in Germany, he has admitted that he is eager to experience playing in the Premier League.

Malen said: "I think, because I played in England as a youth, it is a dream to play in the Premier League. I think that is a beautiful dream."

Hoffenheim's Chris Richards in action with Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen on January 22, 2022 © Reuters

He added: "Yes I would [return]. I wanted Arsenal [as a teenager], my favourite club. I played there in my youth, I really wanted to break through there. Every now and then in a football career there are points at which you just have to make a decision.

"Yes, I was training with the first team, and I was 17, 18 at the time and I did make steps in the right direction, but I thought I had to just play professional football.

"I also saw my teammates playing professional football while I was still playing youth football and I knew [leaving] was the right thing to do."

Reports have persisted that Arsenal will be in the market for a new forward in the summer, although a more physical presence is expected to be targeted over a player such as Malen.