‘Preparing the documents’ – Aston Villa player to be signed in coming hours

Did Aston Villa really want Conor Gallagher or was it all some elaborate agreement between the club Midlands club and Atlético Madrid?

That’s a conspiracy theory to dive into if one chooses. Either way, Los Rojiblancos appear to be helping Unai Emery’s side push AS Roma into a better deal for Donyell Malen.

Over the weekend, Aston Villa were pushed forward for Gallagher, only for Tottenham Hotspur to then agree a deal. At the same time Villa were reportedly chasing the midfielder, Roma were trying to agree a deal for Malen.

Then on Monday evening through to Tuesday morning, Atlético Madrid appeared as surprise competition for the Serie A club. That’s helped create some panic in Rome, and pushed the club into a higher transfer gear.

Earlier, it was reported Malen has already held talks with Gian Piero Gasperini. The manager moved from Atalanta to Roma in the summer with big ambitions.

He recently lost his temper and refused to do a press conference.  Gasperini was annoyed at a lack of backing ahead of the January window. Roma, not wanting to let the drama grow, calmed everything down.

They can hardly then let him pitch the Aston Villa player, succeed, but then lose out to Atlético.

Transfer rush helps Aston Villa

Rome based Il Tempo report the Serie A club are now ‘preparing the documents’ to close the transfer in the coming hours. They’ve been somewhat panicked by the Spanish incursion and want to wrap it up quickly.

Instead of a loan with option, it’s a loan with a conditional obligation.

Should Atlético Madrid genuinely want to sign Donyell Malen, with their interest still being reported in Spain, then they need to hurry. Otherwise, it looks like Diego Simeone’s side have provided something of a transfer assist.

A rush to complete this one will give Aston Villa more time to choose and bring in a replacement.