Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a move for exciting young attacker Malcom, who has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.
Tottenham Hotspur are set to make an attempt to sign Brazilian winger Malcom, from French side Bordeaux in the January transfer window, according to a report from ESPN. Spurs’ North London rivals, Arsenal, are also keeping a keen eye on him.
Arsenal were highly interested in signing Malcom in January, as a replacement for the outgoing Alexis Sanchez, who is set to join Manchester United in the coming days. The Gunners had also held talks with the Brazilian’s representatives over a move in the winter window.
However, they seem to have cooled down on their interests ever since and have instead turned their attention towards Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. And with Henrikh Mkhitaryan likely to arrive from United as part of the Sanchez deal, Arsenal are understood to be out of the race for Malcom.
This has opened up a window of opportunity for Tottenham to make a swoop for the highly-rated Brazilian. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been on the lookout for a new winger for more than a year now, but hasn’t been able to bring in a quality wide player.
North London wants Malcom, and he'll have a big choice to make! ⚪ or ?? pic.twitter.com/a6wZnmDw3x
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 20, 2018
The North Londoners have used Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min in the wide areas and while both have been exceptional performers, neither of them is a natural winger. Erik Lamela’s fitness issues have meant he too has failed to nail down a spot, while Tottenham have loaned out promising young wingers Marcus Edwards and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou to Norwich City and Burnley respectively.
It is understood that Pochettino is a big fan of Malcom’s abilities and would like to sign him at the earliest. However, Tottenham are also open to the possibility of signing the 20-year old now and sending him out on loan until the end of the season at Bordeaux, to help them in their Ligue 1 relegation battle.
“Maybe we need to sign players in January and bring them in six months before,” the Tottenham manager had said in December.
Malcom, who is likely to cost £45 million, has been in decent form this season for Bordeaux. The Brazilian has netted seven goals and registered six assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit.
A pacy winger, who can also play through the middle, the 20-year old has demonstrated great innate abilities and has the potential to add an alternate dimension to the Tottenham attacking lineup.
But, Malcom’s stock could rise even higher, if he gets picked in the Brazilian side for the summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia and hence, Tottenham would be served best to try and complete a deal before the January window shuts.
