The transfer window is well underway and with the transfer of Phillipe Coutinho, it appears the transfer ball has started to roll and Arsenal may be about to dip in with a big piece of business themselves.
Arsenal’s new Head of Recruitment Sven Mislintat arrived late in 2017 and has already helped the Gunners sign young Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, who will now spend the rest of the season on loan in the Bundesliga. And Sven has some other targets up his sleeve, which include Bordeaux forward Malcom.
Brazilian Malcom had been watched by Arsenal before Sven arrived, but Sven had recommended the player to Borussia Dortmund, his previous place of employment. Tottenham and Manchester United are also said to be heavily interested in the 20-year-old, with Bordeaux asking for in excess of £40million to sell him.
It is believed that Tottenham have already had a bid in excess of £30million knocked back, but Arsenal seem happy to pay the asking price for the versatile forward who has scored 7 and assisted 4 in 18 Ligue 1 appearances this season. The 20-year-old is dubbed the best young player to come out of France since Dembele, who is now at Barcelona.
Talks are underway and Arsenal are confident of winning this race, though Malcom’s arrival may hinge on the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, who both look likely to leave this month to Manchester City and Southampton respectively. Arsenal are expected to raise around £35million for Alexis and £20million for Walcott. The duo could potentially be replaced by Malcom and see youngster Reiss Nelson pushed up the pecking order.
The player has been learning English ahead of a move to the country and Bordeaux are already in talks to sign a replacement. It seems certain that Malcom will move this month and Arsenal are confident that they can seal this deal.