Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen has joined Roma after just one year at Villa Park.
Roma said the deal is an initial loan with an option to buy the Dutch striker.
Although Villa’s statement did not specifically mention it, the option is understood to become an obligation to buy him if certain conditions are met.
According to Italy’s Sky, Roma will pay a loan fee of £1.7 million, with a further £21.6 million if the contract becomes permanent.
Atletico Madrid and Juventus were also interested in Malen.
He has been in the Italian capital for the past few days, completing his move. He is thought to be keen to play regularly as a centre-forward and has been given that guarantee by Roma.
Maren signed for Villa from Borussia Dortmund on January 14 last year for a fee of £21 million (€24.2 million) and has made 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists.
Malen’s departure means Villa manager Unai Emery will only have Olly Watkins and Evan Guesand, who can play the role but are yet to score in the Premier League, available in the forward areas.
Villa are interested in Roma striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently on loan at Besiktas.
Villa earlier completed the signings of 17-year-old striker Brian Maggio from Metz and Alisson from Gremio, but both players are seen as development players.
