Arsenal manager Unai Emery is looking to bring in an attacking player this summer and the Spaniard has his eyes set on Barcelona’s Malcom.
Barcelona brought in Malcom from Bourdeaux last summer but the winger has failed to cement his place in the first XI having played in only 15 La Liga games last season.
During the 2018-19 campaign, all Malcom did was warm the benches at the club and it seems like Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has made plans to sell him off this summer.
Barca paid around £37 million to sign Malcom and now that Neymar is being linked with a move back to the club, the Catalans are trying to clear up the locker room.
Arsenal have been trying to sign Malcom but it looks like the Gunners will never be able to get their hands on the 22-year-old as the Catalans want £50 million as transfer fee and this amount is more than Arsenal’s whole transfer budget this summer.
The Express reports: “Arsenal have reportedly already made an offer to take Malcom on loan during this transfer window, with an option to buy the 22-year-old next summer, but it is understood Barca would prefer to sell the player now with all the money coming upfront.
“The Catalan giants are reportedly seeking £50m for the player they signed for £36.5m last summer from Bordeaux.
“Emery reportedly has a limited transfer budget this summer of £45m and may find it hard to fund a move for Malcom, if he also wants to strengthen other areas of his squad as well.”
Apart from the massive transfer fee, Malcom is also demanding wages of around £200,000-per-week in order to move to the Emirates which is also a big issue for the North London club.
Reports suggested that Arsenal met with Malcom’s representatives in London but the two parties are nowhere close to agreeing on terms.
So it seems like Unai Emery will just have to forget the Barcelona forward and look somewhere else.
