With Arsenal looking like they’ve agreed an €80m deal for Nicolas Pepe, that leaves the path clear for Everton if they still want to sign Malcom from Barcelona.

Both clubs have been heavily liked with Malcom but with Arsenal sealing a massive deal, against all expectation, for Nicolas Pepe, it seems highly unlikely they will try and sign Malcom.

Mundo Deportivo believe that Arsenal, Everton and an unnamed club were in the ‘race’ to sign the 22-year-old who only moved to Barcelona last summer.

Malcom, for his part, is said to be ready to leave in search of regular first-team football.

Arsenal, meanwhile, stunned everyone who thought they only had £40m-£45m to spend this summer by agreeing an €80m deal with Lille for Nicolas Pepe.

There were calls from some Arsenal fans for Raul Sanllehi to be knighted and/or given a statue outside the Emirates as a result.

Maybe Josh Kroenke was right, perhaps we should ‘be excited’…..