Donyell Malen was tipped for big things at Premier League giants Arsenal but walked away to join Eredivisie outfit PSV Eindhoven in 2017.
Donyell Malen has admitted to De Telegraaf that Arsenal wanted to extend his contact in the summer of 2017 but he decided that a move to PSV Eindhoven would have been far better for his career progression.
The 20-year-old forward moved to Arsenal from Ajax in 2015 but he spent just two years in North London, failing to make a single first-team appearance despite notching 44 goals at youth level.
Despite his lack of first-team chances, however, Malen was very highly rated at the Emirates. Then manager Arsene Wenger hailed the youngster’s performances during the club’s 2017 pre-season tour, as reported by the Sun.
Just a few weeks later, however, Malen was on his way out of Arsenal. The Dutchman returned home on transfer deadline day, joining Eredivisie giants PSV.
And, speaking to De Telegraaf, Malen has now shed light on why he decided to give up on his Gunners dream.
“That I was sent away from Arsenal is certainly not true. I still had a contract for a year and Arsenal even wanted to extend that,” he said.
“I don’t play football for the money. I never did that. Otherwise I would not have left England.”
So far, Malen’s decision has probably been justified. He has played 40 games for PSV this season, scoring ten goals, even if many of his appearances have been as an impact substitute with his pace off the bench a useful weapon for Mark Van Bommel.
PSV are set to lose their domestic crown to rivals Ajax, however, with just one fixture remaining.
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