Bordeaux forward Malcom is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs in January…but just who is the Brazilian starlet?
The name of Bordeaux forward Malcom has been much mentioned during the January window, but for a player expected to cost around £45million the accessible information is not vast.
We know all about Atom and Humber, for example, ’s pet dogs. For Malcom, knowledge is still being assembled. and have made enquiries, but now appear his likeliest destination.
Sportsmail assesses the chances of Malcom moving to the and what the Brazilian could bring.
So what do we know?
Malcom is a 20-year-old Brazilian who plays as a winger, predominantly on the right side, or occasionally as a No 10. He is stronger on his left foot so often cuts inside to strike shots from range or slips in passes. He can also do down the line and cut back crosses with his right however.
He is fairly stocky in stature, about 5ft 7in, a recalls to mind Eden Hazard with his direct running style, low centre of gravity, and sharp turning circle. And he is quick.
For that kind of money, you would expect effective contributions?
Quite, and Malcom provides that. He has scored seven goals and made five assists in 21 Ligue 1 appearances this season, reaching a total of 18 goals in 75 games for Bordeaux since joining from Corinthians in January 2016. That is a solid return for a player not 21 until February. Some of his goals have been spectacular too, a number of driven strikes from distance.
How did he come to Bordeaux’s attention?
Born in Sao Paolo, Malcom began his career at Corinthians. Head coach Mano Menezes, a former Brazil manager, promoted Malcom to the first team in 2014, and he was a regular during the 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A championship campaign, which Corinthians won by 12 points.
Malcom played 73 games and found the net 10 times for his boyhood club before Bordeaux made their move. It was reported the French side paid £4.5m for 50 per cent of Malcom’s rights and he was recruited as a replacement for Wahbi Khazri, who left for Sunderland.
So what are the chances he now comes to England too?
Manchester United and Arsenal have both held talks over Malcom but with Sanchez heading to Old Trafford, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off to the Emirates each club’s interest has cooled.
Spurs remain very interested and their underwhelming performance in the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s might prompt Mauricio Pochettino into action. Shorn of Christian Eriksen, his team were limited in attack.
But Pochettino insists he is relaxed. ‘In the window, it will be difficult to add quality to the team,’ he said. ‘It is not easy to add a player who can help for three months.’
Bordeaux value Malcom at around £45million, which see Spurs break their club record transfer. It is believed they want to do a deal at £35m plus add-ons and let Malcom stay in France until the summer.
What does the player say?
‘I don’t know,’ he said on Saturday after playing in the 1-0 win at Nantes. ‘If I do leave, that would be fine.
‘I will be grateful to Bordeaux, that’s life. If I have to stay I will, and I will do my job. It is true that England is a dream for every player.’
Gus Poyet’s appointment as manager to replace sacked Jocelyn Gourvennec is an interesting development. The team are in 12th.
