PSG still tracking Brazilian for next season

According to a report published on Foot Mercato on Monday, PSG is still tracking Zenit Saint-Petersburg striker Malcom after trying to acquire him at the end of the winter transfer window but ultimately failing at doing so.

The Brazilian, a former Bordeaux and Barcelona player, was one of Paris Saint-Germain's main targets to replace the departing Pablo Sarabia (sold to Premier League side Wolverhampton) last January, with Hakim Ziyech and Rayan Cherki identified as the two other alternatives chased by the Parisian organization.

It is believed that PSG have kept tabs open on Olympique Lyon's Cherki mostly because of his French nationality and his youth (he's still 19 years old) while no further interest seems to be there in Chelsea's Ziyech (30) as he's seen as an aging player that has no long-term value nor would help the team that much going forward.

Ziyech was the closest player to join PSG last January, mind you, but that transaction failed because of PSG's procrastination and the mishandling of paperwork by Chelsea.

Malcom could be available at a reasonable price for PSG to bolster their offense

With Ziyech out of the equation, PSG have moved on but only partially as they seem to still be interested in adding Malcom next summer. It's been reported that the player's entourage and PSG's board are "still in contact" despite the transfer not being completed last January.

According to Foot Mercato, Malcom is "a possible target" for PSG entering next season. It's believed that the Brazilian is eager to compete in European tournaments, something he's now ineligible for as part of the Russian club Zenit, which is banned from all sorts of continental football after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in mid-2022.

Although PSG are clearly the most prominent club interested in the striker, the French club might actually face competition from other clubs interested in signing Malcom. The price of acquisition for the forward has been quoted at around €30-35m. Malcom is under contract at Zenit until the summer of 2027, which explains that high (but reasonable) valuation.