Arsenal dealt Malcom blow as Liverpool enter race for £45m winger

The Independent reported on Monday that Arsenal were on the brink of the transfer – a replacement for Manchester United-bound Alexis Sanchez – after outbidding north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Gunners were willing to pay £40m of the £45m Bordeaux were asking for compared to Spurs’ £31m – but it seems from Bordeaux boss Jocelyn Gourvennec Liverpool are also in the race which could drive the price up again.

Malcom, who was being offered to major clubs for as little as £16m last summer, is said to have been unsettled by all the speculation in him and is “asking questions” about the interest in him.

“I can’t deny that he’s being followed by a lot of people. With Malcom, I go from day-to-day,” Gourvennec told the French media. “He’s committed. He’s a bit, like he was in the summer… I wouldn’t say he has been disturbed by it, that’s a bit strong, he’s not disturbed, but he is asking questions.

“He’s asking himself what’s the best thing for him, for his future. That’s logical. If he’s asking questions and he still manages to make assists or score goals, it’ll be fine.

“If Liverpool want you to work for them tomorrow, you’d go. I’m a coach, I’d like to be able to count on Malcom, Malcom has to help us.

“There is one person who decides in this, that’s the majority shareholder. He talked about this at the weekend, but football remains football.”