Manchester United are preparing a £26 million bid for Bordeaux’s Brazilian forward Malcom – according to reports.

Jose Mourinho has been reportedly given a big transfer budget in order to bring in some fresh talent into the squad but the management have also alerted the Portuguese that he will have to clear some deadwood before he goes about buying players.

Mourinho seems to have prepared a list of players who he does not want at the club and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s name is at the top of that list. The Armenian started the season in fine form but during the past month or so he has not even made it to the matchday squad. And this lack of faith in him has given rise to a lot of rumours that the former Dortmund playmaker is on his way out of the club during the January transfer window.

And Malcom seems to be an ideal replacement for the Armenian – well atleast Jose Mourinho thinks so. The Times reports that Manchester United are ready to offer Bordeaux £26 million for the Corinthians academy graduate as soon as the transfer window reopens.

Malcom came to Bordeaux in 2016 and in these two seasons he has gone on to become one of the most exciting forward in the French League. He has made 17 appearances so far managing to score 7 goals and provide 4 assists.

The Brazilian can be an ideal signing for Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho as Malcom prefers playing down the right wing. And with both Rashford and Martial wanting to play down the left, Malcom might just be able to bring a bit of balance to the attacking half.

Read: Why do Manchester United perform so badly without Paul Pogba?

Read: Man United players ratings during their win against West Brom.