Arsenal have been dealt another setback with their reported interest in Malcom, with Bordeaux’s president denying the Gunners making any contact over the £44.5m-rated forward.
Stéphane Martin claims the links between Malcom and Arsenal are just “hot air” and denies the Gunners making contact over the 20-year-old.
“Things are clear with his agents. We did not sign him to an extension and tie him to something, to let him go this winter,” Martin told L’Equipe.
“We have never had a discussion with Arsenal. From our point of view, it is nothing but hot air. They can always try, but they will struggle to take him from us.”
Over the weekend, a meeting between Bordeaux and Arsenal was said to have taken place in order to discuss a potential move for Malcom.
An agreement wasn’t reached for the 20-year-old, but talks are still allegedly ongoing, and the forward’s representatives made it very clear they were in London on social media.
Video: Malcom assist today. pic.twitter.com/hEg5OynoYh
— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC) January 13, 2018
Arsenal wanted the deal to reach its conclusion by Monday but the French club’s owner Nicolas de Tavernost told L’Equipe that Malcom wouldn’t be leaving.
Interestingly, he never said that Arsenal hadn’t made contact, just simply that the player wouldn’t be going anywhere in January.
Arsene Wenger did also insist that the Gunners aren’t ‘on that case at the moment’ in his presser last Friday but… it’s Wenger. Most of the time we take anything he says regarding transfers with a truck-load of salt.
On the other hand, Bordeaux’s manager seems open to the player leaving.
Bordeaux manager Jocelyn Gourvennec changing his tune on Malcom: "With Malcom I am taking it day by day… if he leaves, he will be replaced."
— Get French Football (@GFFN) January 15, 2018
So, what on earth is going on?
Tottenham have been linked as well but can only afford to pay £31m. Arsenal, on the other hand, are supposedly willing to cough up £40m. Bordeaux want £44.5m.