Liverpool avoided $32m transfer mistake with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho replacement

Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho replacement has had a tricky start to life in the Bundesliga and has scored just five times in 40 league games since joining from PSV.

Former Liverpool transfer target Donyell Malen has endured a difficult start to his Borussia Dortmund career after joining the club last season from PSV Eindhoven. The Dutchman made a name for himself in the Eredivisie, earning himself admirers from the Premier League before making the switch to Signal Iduna Park.

With just five goals to his name in 40 league outings, the forward has so far failed to live up to expectations following his $32m (£26m/€30m) switch to German giants Dortmund, where he was expected to fill the role vacated by Manchester United-bound Jadon Sancho. A season and a half later, it now appears that Liverpool may have dodged a bullet when it comes to signing the 24-year-old, who has struggled to kick on following his big move.

Back in the summer of 2021, it was confirmed by the ECHO that Malen was a target for the Reds, with Liverpool refusing at the time to deny that the highly-rated attacker was registered on their radar. This was, perhaps, no surprise given his return of 44 goals in 70 appearances at club level over the previous two seasons.