Barcelona star puts skids on Premier League transfer talk

Barcelona forward Malcom has cooled talk of a move away from the Camp Nou with a glowing reference of the Catalan club.

The winger, who arrived from Bordeaux in the summer for around €4omillion, has been linked with a departure after failing to hit the ground running in Spain.

Multiple reports in the Spanish press earlier this month claimed Barca were already set to turn their back on Malcom amid claims they are “growing increasingly concerned over his mental state”.

Mundo Deportivo claimed sources at the club insist they feared the 21-year-old was ‘mentally depressed’, with the state of his mind ensuring he is not in a position to challenge for a first-team place.

Calciomercato and CalcioNews24 also claimed that Malcom’s representatives had made contact with Inter Milan to negotiate a deal. While prior to his move to Barcelona, there were rumours of interest from Tottenham and Liverpool, while Fulham were also linked with an ambitious bid.

But Malcom has all but extinguished talk of a loan move away in January after revealing his love for the Catalan club, despite making just one start in LaLiga and the Champions League this season.

“I was going to Roma and I was very happy,” Malcom told ESPN Brasil. “Then the opportunity to sign for Barcelona arrived and I did not think twice because it had been my dream since I was a kid. Being here is a dream come true.

“Lionel Messi? A few minutes before starting the match, in the tunnel, he told me that when he gets the ball he will find me, and he does because he’s a football alien.

“He’s someone who always wants the best for the group.

“This is why he’s the captain and someone who can inspire players to give their best because, coming from someone has five Ballon d’Or awards, you end up doing well and you’re motivated to do it.

“For me, he’s the best in the world, it’s difficult to talk about. You never know what he’s going to do because he never gives anything away so it’s difficult to know which direction he’s going to go in.

“Simply by exchanging passes with him, I am learning so much. I want to take advantage of this opportunity to the maximum.”