It’s looking increasingly likely that Alexis Sanchez will become a Manchester City player.
Arsenal have stepped up their search for Sanchez’s replacement by organising a meeting with the agent of Malcom, the highly-rated Bordeaux winger.
Sanchez’s days in North London look numbered following reports that Manchester City have reached an agreement with Arsenal for a deal that will see the Chilean join Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders.
While that’s yet to be officially confirmed, it looks as though Arsenal have accelerated plans to bring in his replacement, with The Times reporting that the club will meet with Malcom’s agent. Manchester United have also been strongly linked with the Brazilian but Arsenal will attempt to edge their rivals by securing the 20-year-old’s signature.
Malcom has emerged as one of the hottest properties in European football following his excellent form at Bordeaux this season, which has seen him score seven goals and notch four assists in 18 appearances. According to the Times’ report, he would cost somewhere in the region of £45m.
Malcom: Has scored more goals from outside of the box (4) than any other played aged 23 and under in Europe's top 5 leagues this season
Full player stats — https://t.co/aMwQFWRuan pic.twitter.com/SWNMAtrQLt
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 10, 2018
Malcom fuelled speculation that he was set for a move to the Premier League after sharing a photo of him learning English. United are understood not to have acted on their interest and, while Tottenham are another potential suitor, Arsenal have moved ahead of their rivals in the race.
His arrival would open the door for Sanchez to join City. Sanchez was set to leave Arsenal in the summer but was denied a move because of Arsenal’s failure to secure a replacement.
Malcom has been effective in a wide position for Bordeaux as part of both a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 system. He is renowned for providing genuine width to his team, relishing the prospect of beating defenders either down the flank or by cutting in to a more central position. With his threat in the final third, he would be an exciting replacement for Sanchez.
Arsenal are also said to be interested in Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar but the French starlet is associated more with operating from a deeper position. While he remains an option for the Gunners, Malcom seems like a more natural addition to the attacking line. The club have also been linked with Boca Juniors forward Cristian Pavón but the Argentine club have ruled out his departure during this transfer window.
