€20m increase! Man Utd rue indecisiveness as target gets new price tag

Tom Weber

Updated: 28 Feb 2024 18:26 GMT
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Borussia Dortmund have hiked up Donyell Malen's asking price, according to German media.

Article continues under the video

The Dutchman has been given a shot at redemption since the end of the winter break and he has taken his chance. Malen has been in great form for a floundering Dortmund side despite it looking as though he could leave the club in January.

Towards the end of what proved to be a very disappointing first half of the season, rumours began circulating that Malen was unhappy at Dortmund. Played out of position and fed up with the situation at the club, the 25-year-old switched agents in anticipation of a January transfer.

Indeed, BVB reportedly made Malen available in the winter window, but no move ultimately materialised. Off the back of an underwhelming first half of the campaign, Dortmund were reportedly just keen on recouping their original outlay on the Dutchman, putting a €30 million price tag on his head.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed in early January that Man Utd, constrained by Financial Fair Play, were weighing up making a loan move with an option to buy Malen in the summer. However, with no offer forthcoming, Dortmund eventually decided to make a U-turn on their transfer stance.

Malen's new price tag

Keeping Malen proved to be a good decision and Man Utd will likely come to rue their January indecisiveness regarding a player who would have been an upgrade on €95 million flop Antony, who has now reportedly been transfer-listed.

The Dutchman has netted six times since German football returned from its winter hiatus, also setting up a goal against Bochum. This improved form has seen Dortmund hike up their asking price for the attacker.

According to BILD, the Black and Yellow will once again be open to offers for the 25-year-old in the summer, but they won't settle for anything below €40m-€50m. Several Dortmund players are out of contract this year and the German side are keen to overhaul their squad, meaning that funds will need to be raised.

In addition to Man Utd, Liverpool are also said to be keen on Malen, perhaps seeing him as a replacement for potentially Saudi-bound Mohamed Salah. As for the Red Devils, they will likely regret not going ahead with their January loan offer.