Malcom told reporters the reason he’s playing so well this season is he wants to go to the World Cup. Could that also inspire him to move to Arsenal?

In an interview in November, Malcom said it was his ‘project’ to play well enough to make the competition.

He told foot-express.com: “Yes it can be a project but I’m only thinking about playing football, doing my job. After, I will let coach Tite decide. I hope, by the end of the championship, I will have had a very big season. I don’t know, it is he (Tite) who will select the team, who will say if I could go or not.

“In interviews, he said he’s looking at me. That’s good for me, it gives me even more desire to help Bordeaux and have a big season.”

Clearly Malcom has made an impression on more than just the Brazil manager.

His seven goals and six assists so far have sparked rumours that Arsenal are looking at him to replace Alexis Sanchez.

Nothing is final just yet, but perhaps the 20-year-old’s World Cup dream could convince him to move to England.

Fellow Brazilians like Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho have already come to the Premier League and put themselves on the map. Whilst Malcom’s exploits with Bordeaux are impressive, he’d win more favour doing the same thing for a club like Arsenal.

The Gunners could yet make the later rounds of the Europa League, given they easily qualified for the round of 32.

If they do, the Brazilian would have the chance to prove himself against some of Europe’s biggest teams.

Even if they don’t, there are still upcoming matches against the likes of Manchester City, United, Chelsea and the rest.

We’ll see what the youngster decides but with reports that his agents were in London because Arsenal wanted to finalise the deal this weekend, it seems like a move could be close.