Malcom Completes Transfer to Barcelona for Reported €41 Million Fee
July 24, 2018
Barcelona announced on Tuesday they have beaten Roma to the signing of Bordeaux forward Malcom for a fee of €41 million, with another €1 million in potential add-ons:
The Brazilian winger appeared to be on his way to the Serie A side, but the Blaugrana have made a late move for the 21-year-old, and Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport Italia first reported of the move to the Camp Nou.
"Bordeaux and the player's agents pushed for this outcome despite fact that Roma made an offer [Monday] night that exceeded the Blaugrana's," said Di Marzio. "Even though Malcom himself was eager to join the Giallorossi, the Italian club are now resigned to the fact the player will head to Spain."
Malcom was one of the best young players in Ligue 1 last season, excelling in a Bordeaux team that struggled for long spells of the campaign.
The forward typically played off the right flank and was devastating cutting inside onto his left foot. Malcom's pace, trickery and ability to strike the ball from distance made him such a difficult prospect for opposition players to contend with.
It felt inevitable that he was going to leave Bordeaux, and Roma appeared to have secured the player, even posting on social media that they had agreed a deal with the French outfit subject to a medical and personal terms.
As we can see courtesy of Get French Football News, the Roma supporters appeared convinced that Malcom was on his way to Rome:
The chance to join Barcelona came with massive temptation, though, as the Blaugrana are one of the biggest clubs in the world and consistently challenge for silverware.
Last season they lost just one game in La Liga, winning the title ahead of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. For Malcom, the chance to work alongside players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho will also surely be tempting.
Still, there will be questions as to where the Brazilian will fit into Ernesto Valverde's setup. After all, not only does he have that trio to jostle with for starting spots in Catalonia, Ousmane Dembele will also be looking to have a stronger second season at Barca after injury sapped his momentum during the 2017-18 campaign.
Barcelona have also been linked with a move for Willian in this transfer window, and it was reported by Sky Sports that Chelsea had turned down a £55 million offer for the Brazil international. Football journalist Ryan Baldi believed that chasing Malcom made more sense:
Malcom has all the natural talent needed to play for a club like Barcelona and has shown the temperament needed to rise to this challenge. The only worry for him will be getting the minutes he needs to continue developing.
Paying huge money for Willian would've been a little misguided from Barca, especially given the 29-year-old would've most likely only had a short-term impact. In Malcom they have landed a player on an upward trajectory in his career and capable of exceeding the levels reached by his compatriot.