Poch has personally contacted £48m-valued attacker, Tottenham lead race to sign him - report
By Richard Parks
Mauricio Pochettino has personally contacted Bordeaux attacker Malcom in a bid to sign him this summer, according to a report.
French broadcaster RMC Sport claim the Tottenham manager has rung the Brazilian, 21, about a possible transfer after being convinced he can be a huge success in the Premier League.
It is said that Bordeaux will not sell Malcom for less than their valuation of up to £48.5million, with Spurs and Bayern Munich leading the race to sign him.
The skilful attacker, who came through Corinthians' youth ranks and has two caps for Brazil's U23 team, has scored eight goals and supplied seven assists in 27 appearances for Bordeaux so far this season.
Pochettino is a big admirer of his fellow South American as he feels he can be a valuable addition to the Tottenham attacking line.
Football Insider verdict:
Malcom has been one of the best players in Ligue 1 this season after making immense progress since joining Bordeaux two years ago from Corinthians in his native Brazil. His impressive goal return is a fine effort for a side ninth in the league. Would the Brazilian flyer immediately improve the Tottenham starting XI? Probably not, but he has immense potential and could develop into a world beater under a coach like Pochettino, who has an excellent track record of turning rising stars into established ones.
In other Tottenham news, it can be revealed that the club have RIPPED UP the contract of a defender following top-level talks.