Real Madrid pulled off an absolute transfer masterstroke when they signed Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. The Englishman is having a tremendous campaign in the Royal White jersey and many consider him as one of the frontrunners to win the next Ballon d'Or. On the other hand, another one of the German club's players has been urged to make the move to the Spanish capital.
Borussia Dortmund's eye for talent is unquestionable. And one player who is having a great campaign at Signal Iduna Park right is Donyell Malen.
The 25-year-old joined Borussia Dortmund in 2021 and after a shaky start to life in Germany, he has come into his own. According to stats from Transfermarkt, Malen has scored 13 goals and provided 4 assists in 32 appearances in the 2023/24 campaign so far.
That has earned him links with a return to Arsenal, whose youth academy he was part of but never made a senior appearance for the Premier League club. On the other hand, Malen has been urged to join Real Madrid by one of the Spanish club's former players.
Former Arsenal player told to join Real Madrid
Rafael van der Vaart played a couple of seasons for Real Madrid before moving to Tottenham Hotspur. As reported by HITC, he said on Rondo about Malen:
"(Malen is) an amazing player.
“But if you want to become Mbappe, you have to show it every match.
“I wonder; does he get the most out of (his talent)? Dortmund is a good club, but not Real Madrid. I think he should go there."
Malen is a phenomenal talent without a doubt. But at the same time, it is hard to see him end up at Real Madrid.
Malen plays on the wings and Real Madrid have world-class options there already, with more expected to arrive in the summer. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are brilliant wingers, while Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz and Federico Valverde are also capable of playing on the flanks.
Add to that the small matter of Kylian Mbappe's rumoured arrival in the summer and Real Madrid could be stacked with options on the wings. Funnily enough, Carlo Ancelotti's current setup does not even use traditional wingers. So, all things considered, it would be a surprise if the club tried to sign Malen.