Everton have increased their offer for FC Barcelona forward Malcom, but face a four-way fight to land the Brazilian’s services, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Malcom’s future at the Camp Nou has been in doubt throughout the summer having been shunned by Ernesto Valverde following his arrival in Catalunya last summer, while the arrival of Antoine Griezmann and potential return of Neymar would further push the Brazilian down the pecking order.
Barca President Josep Maria Bartomeu made it clear he would not consider any approach below the €41million (£37.2m) spent to acquire Malcom last summer, and was believed to have placed a €60million (£54.4m) asking price on the forward.
The Blues were seemingly reluctant to meet that figure as previous reports had suggested Marcel Brands’ advances were to the sound of €35million (£31.7m), although the claims were refuted at the time.
But Barcelona-based daily sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo understand the Toffees board have upped their offer to land Malcom a year after missing out on his services, with a bid closer to €50million (£45.3m) said to be on the table.
Last season’s Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund are also suggested to have approached the Catalan giant with a similar offer, while Arsenal and Napoli’s interest could make it a four-way fight with less than two weeks remaining of the Premier League transfer market.
Napoli will only step forward with an official approach should their advances toward Real Madrid for James Rodriguez fall short, while Arsenal are reportedly on the chase for LOSC Lille forward Nicolas Pepe which should take the Gunners out of contention.