Malcom targeted for move as Barcelona seek roster overhaul
Barcelona’s second season under manager Ernesto Valverde ended with mixed results, with the club winning La Liga but losing in the Copa del Rey final to Valencia, followed by a semifinal elimination in the Champions League despite entering the second leg at Liverpool with a 3-0 advantage.
However, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu reaffirming the club’s commitment to the manager next season, it seems that changes will instead be taking place with the roster.
One such change is expected to be centred on efforts to sell 22-year-old Brazilian winger, Malcom, as reported by Spanish outlet Sport.
Since arriving last summer from Bordeaux for a fee of around €40 million after spurning a move to Roma at the last minute, the youngster has found consistent playing time hard to come by.
The former Bordeaux man is now ready to move on, particularly as he is no longer thought to be in the manager’s plans.
With the club deciding to move on, they have placed a €40 million price tag on him in hopes of making back last summer’s transfer fee – and it seems as though a familiar face might be interested.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton seem to be interested in acquiring the winger, and the two clubs have a good working relationship, having done a lot of business recently with Yerry Mina, Lucas Digne and Andre Gomes joining the Merseyside club from Barcelona last summer alone. The report indicates that it is largely believed that, while there is not specific destination as of yet, it is largely believed that he will end up in the Premier League if he moves, with Tottenham also being linked to the Brazilian.
Details regarding any potential deal are still being worked out, but The Echo is reporting that Barcelona would likely include a buy-back clause in any deal, as the club still sees potential. While Barcelona would also consider a loan of the player, it would likely include a purchase obligation.
Malcom has also been linked to Borussia Dortmund (translation from German), as well as a potential move to China, though the player has since ruled out that possibility.