Tottenham are eyeing a move for Barcelona forward Malcom, according to media reports in Spain, with the reigning La Liga champions open to offers for the Brazilian.
The 21 year old signed from Bordeaux in the summer for a fee of €40 million, plus add ons, however injuries and the impressive form of French international Ousmane Dembele has restricted his first team opportunities so far in 2018-19.
Ernesto Valverde is now believed to be willing to listen to bids for the speedy attacker, although the club will be determined to see a financial return on their initial investment.
Premier League side Tottenham are believed to be leading the charge at the present, to seal a deal for him, however the North London side would prefer an initial loan deal until the end of the current season.
However such a deal would to include an option to buy at the end of the 2018-19 campaign, but if that clause is binding, it my cause Spurs to back out as they want to see how he adapts to the demands of the Premier League.
Barcelona will want to see something more concrete, as they may not want him back if he struggles in the Premier League.
Negotiations are continuing between the two clubs, with the clock ticking on the January transfer window.
Whatever between now and the end of the month, he player himself will be seeking assurances over his playing time for the remainder of the season, whether he stays in Spain, or eventually makes the move to England.
He has started just one La Liga game so far this season, alongside a handful of cameo appearances from the bench, with five appearances in the Copa del Rey and Champions League combined – including a first goal for the club away at Inter Milan.
If he remains at the Nou Camp, Dembele looks set to stay ahead of him in the pecking order, with international compatriot Philippe Coutinho unlikely to be sold, despite speculative reports linking him with a switch to Manchester United.
However, given the fact that he will be ineligble for Tottenham in the Champions League knockout stages, Mauricio Pochettino and the club’s board will be seeking a deal sweetener from Barcelona’s end – likely to be the Catalan side paying the majority of his wages.
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