Malcom 'Will Not Be Leaving' Bordeaux in January Amid Arsenal Rumours

Bordeaux owner Nicolas de Tavernost has played down rumours Arsenal will sign winger Malcom in January after he insisted the Brazilian would be staying put. 

He told L'Equipe (h/t Get French Football News): "Malcom will not be leaving."

Per Football.London's Rob Guest, the Gunners are leading Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign him as they bid to find a replacement for Alexis Sanchez, and Malcom's agent, Leonardo Cornacini, was in London over the weekend.

The Guardian's Ed Aarons offered a further update on Arsenal's pursuit, with the Ligue 1 outfit hoping Malcom would stay until the summer:

It's understandable Bordeaux want to keep hold of the 20-year-old, who is perhaps the club's best player despite his young age.

He has shouldered the goalscoring responsibility for Les Girondins this season, and he's also their chief creator, per Scouted Football:

He offered a timely reminder of his ability on Saturday as he embarked on an impressive run that covered half the length of the pitch, before delivering a superb cross to set up the only goal of the game in Bordeaux's 1-0 win at Troyes.

The youngster is an electric player who can offer excitement and incision in equal measure at Arsenal.

Malcom typically operates on the right and likes to cut inside, take on defenders and deliver dangerous crosses into the box or make use of his powerful left foot.

Given his age he isn't yet at the level Sanchez is capable of reaching, but he would make a superb long-term replacement for him.

Landing him in the summer would still allow him to do that, but Arsenal need firepower if they're to get into the UEFA Champions League next season, so signing him in this transfer window would be preferable.