Former Arsenal academy forward Donyell Malen has been linked with a move to Manchester United, potentially in a swap deal for Jadon Sancho.

The Daily Mail report that meetings took place in Germany last Thursday between Borussia Dortmund and representatives of Donyell Malen, with the suggestion that they were discussing a possible swap deal involving Jadon Sancho.

Sancho is very much out of favour at Manchester United, and the report suggests the only way for him to remain at the club would be if Erik ten Hag is sacked.

United are generally expecting to have a quiet January, but there’s an acceptance that Sancho has to move on.

Malen hasn’t quite hit the heights he might have hoped to reach at Borussia Dortmund, given the level of hype around him before he joined the club.

The 24-year-old played for Arsenal during his youth days, before moving on to PSV Eindhoven. In his final season with the Dutch club, Malen scored 27 goals.

But in 94 appearances for Dortmund over two-and-a-half seasons, Malen is still yet to reach that 27-goal tally, sitting at 24.

This campaign so far, the former Gunner has five goals and two assists in 21 games.

You’d think Manchester United would be wary about the move, considering Sancho himself scored 16 goals and assisted 20 more in his final season at Dortmund before moving back to England.

That’s a much better tally than Malen is on track for in 2023/24. But Malen is a very different player, and perhaps they feel he’s a better fit for ten Hag’s side.