Borussia Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin has already told Aston Villa his Donyell Malen stance

Borussia Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin has previously described Aston Villa transfer target Donyell Malen as a “very important player” for the German club.

Villa are understood to be in talks with Dortmund over a deal for Malen during the January transfer window. It is said a first bid of £15m plus add-ons was rejected, with Villa now considering an improved offer for the 25-year-old former Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven forward.

Malen is in his fourth season at Dortmund and has endured a difficult campaign. He has started just six times in the Bundesliga, making a further seven appearances as a substitute, scoring three goals. It has been claimed he wants to leave the club.

Sahin addressed the player’s situation in November, after Malen had scored a winning goal as a substitute for Dortmund against Sturm Graz in the Champions League, having been dropped to the bench after a poor performance against Wolfsburg.

"We had a very, very good conversation a few days ago,” he said. “I wasn't happy with his performance against Wolfsburg and I made that clear to him.

“Donny is a very important player for us, and he naturally defines himself by scoring goals and providing assists. I told him that I expect even more from him.

"He scored the goal, very, very important, but I thought in the 94th minute, when he cleared the ball in his own box, that's the Donny I want to see. He showed us that that's what he wants too."

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