Reports: Malcom Agrees to Roma Move

Now that Alisson is officially a (gross) Liverpool player, it’s time to get down to the heart of the matter: spending that €72.5 million as fast as possible. While a portion of that fee is earmarked for his replacement (Robin Olsen on the low end, Alphonse Areola on the high end), the bulk of that windfall seems destined for an impact player. And if you’ve been with us for most of the summer, you no doubt know that EDF has designs on another winger; specifically, a dynamic playmaking winger with the potential to chip 10 to 12 goals per season. In short, EDF wants a superstar in the making.

To date we’ve discussed too many names to recount, but suffice it to say, Monch is scouring Europe’s top leagues for the next big thing, and seems to have narrowed his focus down to one of Fiorentina’s Federico Chiesa, AC Milan’s Suso or the latest entrant into this contest, Bordeaux’s Malcom, who now appears to have the inside track.

According to several sources, Malcom and/or his agent are actually in Rome and have met with Roma’s brass to discuss the 21-year-old Brazilians future. If you’re a Roma transfer geek, you’re probably aware that the Giallorossi tried to land this kid in the dying days of Walter Sabatini’s reign, when he could have been had for a song, reportedly as low as €5 million. However, as we discussed this morning, his value is, uh, significantly higher now; reportedly as high as €60 million.

Despite that one assessment, it is believed that Roma will open their negotiations with Bordeaux at roughly €40 million, with Malcom signing a five-year deal, believed to be worth €3 million net per season.

So, what does one get for that money in today’s market? Take a look...

Yeah, no big deal, you’re...uh...basically getting Douglas Costa with an eye for goal. Malcom can play as an attacking midfielder and a central midfielder, but he’s normally deployed as a right winger, an inverted right winger at that. Malcom can dribble. Malcom can pass. Malcom can cross. Malcom can take a set piece. Malcom can create. Malcom can score. Malcom can make you look a fool.

Needless to say, Bordeaux’s €10 million investment has paid off handsomely. While Malcom took a bit of time to adjust to Ligue 1, he EXPLODED this year, scoring 12 goals and chipping in seven assists in league play. By any metric, Malcom was a top ten player in France last year, ranking as high as 4th per Squawka’s performance rating measure.

It’s hard to overstate just how good this kid is, but one gets the feeling it’ll be money well invested if and when Roma closes this deal. Malcom, Ünder, Kluivert and El Shaarawy on the wings should enable Roma to run circles around nearly anyone.

While no deal has yet been struck between the two clubs, with Everton signing Richarlison and Inter Milan unable to meet the transfer fee, all signs point towards Malcom donning a Roma shirt this coming season.