Tottenham have entered into talks to sign Barcelona attacker Malcom on a loan-to-buy transfer, according to Sport.
The Catalan-based newspaper claim Spurs got in touch with the Spanish giants on Wednesday to learn about the Brazilian’s position and negotiations are underway over an initial loan with the obligation to make it permanent at the end of the season.
Sport report Spurs face competition for Malcom’s signature from China, where Guangzhou Evergrande have already placed a £44million offer on the table.
Good move for Tottenham?
Malcom is an exciting talent who lit up French football in the first half of last season to earn his moneyspinning move to Barcelona. It is a transfer that has not worked out for the Brazil Under-23 international, who made just 10 appearances to date, and has been frozen out of the starting XI of late by unconvinced manager Ernesto Valverde. But the 21-year-old is young enough and good enough to thrive under a coach like Mauricio Pochettino, who has an excellent track record of nurturing and developing potential stars. In Malcom’s favour is that he is blisteringly quick, direct and skillful.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Spurs were strongly linked with Malcom last year but were beaten to the punch by Barca. A permanent January transfer is unlikely, but a loan-to-buy deal makes sense, especially if it is set at around the £35million figure the Spanish club paid Bordeaux for his signature last summer.
This Is Futbol rating 4/10