With Arsenal leading the chase for Malcom, should Tottenham Hotspur be looking to add experience rather than potential?
Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign 20-year-old Brazilian winger Malcom from Bordeaux. According to the Independent the Gunners have already held talks to discuss personal terms with the youngster with other interested clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United set to miss out.
But is this really the end of the world for Spurs, who were allegedly only willing to pay £31million for the Brazilian?
Tottenham’s rise to prominence in the last several years has been massively down to their exciting youth. The likes of Dele Alli, 21, Harry Kane, 24, Eric Dier, 24, and more recently Harry Winks, 21, have all played an integral role in transforming the club from a top half team to consistent Premier League title contenders.
So with the aim now to win trophies, perhaps the club should not be so concerned with adding further young talent to their squad, which is already rife, and instead be in search of more experienced older heads who could help them get over the line in a cup final or league title run-in.
Mauricio Pochettino should consider the likes somebody like Ivan Perisic: 28, bags of experience playing at the top level and most importantly, familiar with the feeling of lifting silverware.
Perisic, who was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer, decided to remain in Italy with Internazionale but could well be somebody for Tottenham to explore.
He is also unlikely to cost much more than Malcom, who is unproven and a massive risk for any side willing to take an expensive punt.
Tottenham have youth, they now need one or two experienced heads to finish what Pochettino has started in North London.
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