Tottenham encouraged to return for electric attacker

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham won’t give up on signing Malcom

Mauricio Pochettino wanted to bring Malcom to Tottenham in January, but the French club were unwilling to make a deal. Fortunately, recent signals from the Brazilian phenom indicate Spurs may face a much different reality this summer.

Malcom admitted to Telefoot that he wanted to leave France in January. To his credit, he told the club’s management that he was willing to fight and give his all for their cause until the conclusion of the current campaign.

What he didn’t say is just as important as what he did say. While he committed himself fully to the Bordeaux cause until this season ends, he certainly didn’t talk about next year. That makes it pretty obvious that Malcom believes he’ll be on the move this summer.

Don’t think for a moment that Tottenham’s decision to sign Lucas Moura this week will cause them to cool on Malcom this summer. Pochettino told the younger Brazilian’s entourage that he can make the starlet one of the top attackers in Europe. The Spurs manager doesn’t toss around that kind of praise lightly. If he told Malcom’s agents he was such a believer in their client’s talent, then he certainly meant it.

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The key will be whether or not Daniel Levy is willing to lay out the cash to bring the exciting attacker to Tottenham. Spurs will likely see increased competition for his signature once the summer transfer window opens. Arsenal will certainly be keen to step in and steal him away from their arch rivals.

The one thing Tottenham will need to do to make sure they stay in the frame for Malcom’s services is make sure they qualify for Champions League football next season. The player has made zero secret of his desire to participate in Europe’s most prestigious competition. Failing to finish in the top four could cost Spurs the chance to bring in Pochettino’s top target.

Of course, qualifying for Champions League football will also have a dramatic financial impact on Spurs. The club are working hard to pay for their new stadium and can’t afford to lose such a substantial revenue stream. If they want to pay for Malcom, they will need to keep receiving big checks from European competition.

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It’s very clear that Malcom wants to move to England next summer and Tottenham will want to make sure they lock his services down this summer. No matter how well Spurs’ attack functions the rest of the year, Pochettino will be looking to add a budding star to his offensive corps in the offseason.