Reports linking Zenit St Petersburg winger Malcom with a move to Premier League challengers Arsenal are a ‘lie’ according to the former Barcelona man’s agent.
Since the appointment of Edu Gaspar as Arsenal’s technical director, the Emirates Stadium has become home to a number of talented Brazilians. Gabriels Martinelli, Magalhaes and Jesus, to name but three.
Malcom, however, will not be joining them.
The Sao Paulo-born 26-year-old, who arrived at Zenit following a highly-forgettable spell at Barcelona to the tune of £35 million, was linked with Mikel Arteta’s side earlier this week.
But, according to agent Luis Fernando Garcia, there is not even a shred of truth to such rumours.
“Are Arsenal interested in signing Malcolm? This is a lie,” Garcia tells Sport24.
Arsenal will not be signing Zenit St Petersburg’s Malcom
Malcom, who made his name at Bordeaux, has scored 25 goals while setting up nine more during a superb campaign at the runaway Russian Premier League leaders. Zenit are currently 11 points clear of second place FC Rostov.
Malcom may not be heading to London any time soon, but Paris Saint-Germain could come knocking again during the summer months. PSG tried and failed to sign the one-time Ligue 1 wonderkid in January.
Furthermore, there are doubts surrounding the futures of both Neymar and Lionel Messi at the Parc des Princes.
“I am pleased with the prospect of one day being in a top league again,” Malcom tells Championat. “Perhaps it will happen someday. If there are no such ambitions, then there may not be any motivation.
“You should always have such goals. This is what makes you work hard, and show off the best version of yourself.
“PSG? I don’t see this as a rare opportunity. Yes, there was an opportunity. But now it’s in the past. I think if I continue to work as hard as I can, I will still be able to prove myself at the highest European level. There are no thoughts that this was my only chance to go to a top club.”
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