Arsenal and Tottenham target Malcom will not leave in January, says new Bordeaux boss Gus Poyet

James Benge22 January 2018

Newly appointed Bordeaux manager Gustavo Poyet has said that he expects in-demand winger Malcom to stay at the club until the end of the season.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham are targeting the Brazilian winger, 20, who is valued at £45million.

Bordeaux have endured a challenging season despite Malcom’s fine displays, he has scored seven goals and provided five assists in the league, and find themselves 12th in Ligue 1, only four points clear of the relegation zone.

Their form was enough to cost Jocelyn Gourvennec his job, with Poyet appointed his successor. However the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager made clear his desire to keep hold on Malcom.

“I asked straight away if Malcom would be staying or not,” Poyet told a press conference at which he was unveiled as Les Girondins’ new manager. “They said yes.

“I said OK, now we can continue the discussion.”

Club president Stephane Martin added: “Malcom, it has been said and repeated, he will not leave. He said he wanted to play in the Premier League someday.

“It's normal, which player would not want to play in England? So there is no problem Malcom.”

Both Tottenham and Arsenal view Malcom as a potential transfer target for the summer, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger ruling out a January move for the forward as his side pursue deals for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been similarly circumspect about his side’s interest in the Brazilian, telling Sky Sports on Sunday: “That is a rumour and I don't want to speak about it. I am happy with our squad.

"We are open to quality players but you know very well it is difficult in this transfer window."

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