Arsenal and Tottenham target Malcom has confirmed that there is a deal promised between him and his club Bordeaux that he would be allowed to leave in the upcoming transfer window.
Malcom, a Brazil U23 international, was a subject of interest from a host of Premier League clubs which include the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United amongst Arsenal and Tottenham. Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, of all, showed a firm interest as Mourinho was keen on signing a winger. However, Alexis Sanchez’s arrival made him drop the idea of going for Malcom.
Besides Manchester United, Arsenal were thought to be the front-runners given that Sanchez was leaving and there were no initial signs of a swap deal back then. Arsenal drove themselves ahead of Tottenham in the speculation mainly because of the fact that the Lillywhites were not willing to pay more than €35m (£31m) for the forward, while Bordeaux had placed a €50m (£44.5m) valuation on their player. While as things stood for Arsenal, the maximum they agreed to pay was €45m (£40m).
Tottenham, on their part, went on to sign Lucas Moura from Paris Saint-Germain instead and Malcom stayed put. The 20-year-old, however, has now confirmed that he wanted to leave Bordeaux in the winter but since the Ligue 1 side needed him, he decided to stay put.
The Brazilian also confirmed that the club will allow him to negotiate a deal with other suitors over the summer transfer window and once he agrees to the personal terms, the Les Girondins will let him go.
“Yes, there was a promise that I will be negotiating in June,” Malcom told Brazilian outlet UOL, as quoted by Sky Sports. “I will choose the team, and Bordeaux will let me go.
“I already said that I would have liked to leave this winter to meet new challenges. But I must also remember that Bordeaux helped me a lot.
“I gave my word to Bordeaux that I will continue [with the club] to be able to have more time to choose my future club. These next three or four months will make a big difference.”
Do you think we should go for Malcom now that we already have Lucas Moura?
