Arsenal’s attempts to sign Barcelona winger Malcom might be in trouble after the Catalans placed a high asking price on the Brazilian.
Arsenal are attempting to sign a winger in this transfer window, with multiple players linked with a move to the Emirates. However, one of their pursuits of a target might have hit a snag. According to The Express, Barcelona are asking for £50 million for their winger Malcom, something that Arsenal might not be able to pay.
Arsenal have held a long pursuit of Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha all summer long. However, due to complications involving a high asking price for Zaha, Arsenal have seen several offers rejected, most notably a recent £40 million bid for the Ivorian. Their futile pursuit of Zaha has led Unai Emery to look at alternatives to the Palace man, and Barcelona’s Malcom is firmly on that list.
Malcom, joined Barcelona in a €41 million move last summer from Bordeaux. While there were high expectations from the Brazilians after his big-money move, Malcom failed to establish any sort of rapport in the Barcelona side. He did make 24 appearances in all competitions scoring 4 goals. Barcelona are thus convinced Malcom does not fit the bill in the team and are looking to sell him.
Despite having signed Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid in recent days, Barcelona are firmly looking to sign Neymar from PSG. There are complications with the deal for Neymar, but if a move is to happen, it would involve a considerable transfer fee. Hence, Barcelona require an immediate cash in-flow, which they hope to raise by the sale of players such as Malcom.
Arsenal, due to their failure to qualify for the Champions League last season are set to endure a tough time in the transfer market with a restricted budget. Hence, the Gunners are trying to make cut-price deals for quality players. They had reportedly proposed a loan deal with the obligation to buy for Malcom, but Barcelona would prefer to cash in on him now.
So the £50 million price tag effectively rule out an Arsenal move, although there is further interest in Malcom. Everton are among the clubs who are willing to take him to the Premier League. The Merseysiders are eager to pay £35 million for him, although it remains to be seen if he’d be interested in a move to Goodison Park. Arsenal are also reportedly ready to counter Everton’s bid for Malcom.
Additionally, Malcom is demanding a weekly wage of £200,000-a-week, which Arsenal are reluctant to play. Last season Arsenal allowed Aaron Ramsey to leave on a free transfer for a higher wage demand. They are unlikely to make big salary promises to potential signings.
As things stand, Arsenal will continue to negotiate over Malcom’s price, although the chances are slim of Barcelona reducing it, considering their need for money. Additionally, Malcom’s wage demands are only designed to hamper any move to Arsenal as the Gunners will look at other alternatives to the Brazilian.
