Everton could face rival interest from Saint-Etienne and AS Roma if the Blues decide to make an approach for FC Barcelona forward Malcom, according to El Desmarque.
The Brazilian winger’s future at the Camp Nou continues to appear at its end after one season, following the Catalan outfit’s purchase of 2018 World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann and the potential return of PSG forward Neymar.
Barca’s advances to secure the Brazilian’s return to La Liga hinge on striking a deal with Paris Saint-Germain, but first and foremost must raise the necessary funds to obtain the world’s most expensive footballer sold for a reported €222million (£199.3m) in 2017.
Neymar’s compatriots Philippe Coutinho and Malcom are widely seen to be potential makeshifts for his speculated move, as the wide duo are considered to be the more lucrative dead weights of Barcelona’s first-team.
Everton have been credited with renewed interest in Malcom having failed to win the race for his signature last summer, but claims of a €35million (£31.4m) bid have been refuted by the English press, who suggested an approach had been put on the back burner for the time being.
The Spanish media continue to press the speculated €35million approach, though, with El Desmarque noting the offer has been on the table since May when contact between the Blues and Barca was first made.
Toffees Director of Football Marcel Brands must increase his offer if the Dutchman intends to acquire the Brazilian winger, however, as the alleged bid is far from enough to secure Malcom’s services, as Barca President Josep Maria Bartomeu will not consider any approach below the €41million (£36.8m) he awarded FC Girondins Bordeaux in 2018.
It has been reported previously that an offer as high as €60million (£53.8m) may be necessary for any side wishing to secure the 22-year-old’s signature this summer.
Any outfit willing to offer figures in excess of €41million may also have to contend with Roma, as an intermediary working on behalf of Malcom is understood to have presented his client’s services to the Serie A outfit.
Malcom came close to joining the Rome outfit before his move to Barcelona, and could now make the step into the Italian game after the Giallorossi parted ways with Stephan El Shaarawy. But the Barca forward would have to take a pay cut to facilitate his transfer to the Stadio Olimpico, as Roma are not in a situation where they can afford his €5million-a-season (£86,334-a-week) wage.
Saint-Etienne have also offered Malcom a route out of La Liga, but Bartomeu rejected the Ligue 1 side’s approach as they had presented a dry loan, which does not fit the Catalan outfit’s plans for the winger.