Bordeaux boss gives Arsenal major hope of Malcom deal
Bordeaux boss Jocelyn Gourvennec has opened to the door to the possibility of Malcom leaving in the January window as Arsenal close in on the Brazilian.
The Gunners have identified the 20-year-old as the ideal candidate to replace Manchester United-bound Alexis Sanchez, while they are also working on a deal for Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Bordeaux’s owner, Nicolas de Tavernost, appeared to dash Arsenal’s hopes of landing Malcom by insisting he ‘will not be leaving’, but now Gourvennec has suggested he could yet be sold.
As quoted by L’Equipe, the Bordeaux coach said: ‘I’m not unaware that there’s interest in him. With Malcom, I am taking it day by day.
‘I hope we will succeed in keeping him, but if he does leave then he will be replaced.’
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Malcom created his side’s winner against Troyes on Saturday and is expected to be in the line-up that takes on Caen on Tuesday, despite having plenty to think about at the moment.
‘He isn’t unsettled but he is thinking it over,’ Gourvennec continued. ‘He’s thinking about what’s the best choice for him, it’s only logical.’
Malcom is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in European football, and has scored seven goals and laid on five assists in 19 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
Sanchez, who he would replace, has the same number of league goals this season, while the prolific Aubameyang has netted 13 Bundesliga goals in just 15 appearances, with the duo likely to be a fine substitute for Sanchez should he leave.
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