Tottenham are plotting whether to sign Barcelona attacker Malcom on loan this month, according to the Daily Star.
The newspaper claims that Spurs are worried about being left short of options in attack due to Harry Kane’s ankle injury and Heung-min Son jetting out to take part in South Korea’s Asian Cup campaign.
It is understood that the brakes have been put on a potential exit for Fernando Llorente and Barca’s £36.5million summer signing Malcom is being viewed as a possible loan signing.
Good move for Tottenham?
Malcom has not played a lot of football this season, with the Brazilian attacker earning just 10 appearances in all competitions since leaving Bordeaux and signing for Barca.
It is hard to see how he would be a replacement for Kane.
The 21-year-old is not a natural centre-forward and he plays his best football when he is out on the wing and able to cut inside.
He could be a decent replacement for Son, but Mauricio Pochettino already has plenty of other options like Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura to stand in while the South Korean is away on international duty.
Malcom is not a bad player but if Pochettino wants a new striker he should look elsewhere.
This is Futbol rating 4/10
Likely to happen?
Spurs are unlikely to go out and sign a striker just because Kane faces a few weeks on the sidelines.
If the London club makes a move now to sign a replacement for the England captain, then it could take a week before the deal is sealed, and then you’re looking at someone who is just going to play for a matter of weeks.
It’s all pointless and something that Daniel Levy won’t allow.
Malcom will not be joining Tottenham.
This is Futbol rating 0/10