Arsenal’s representatives plan to meet the agent of Malcom today in an effort to steal a march on the winger’s signature, which could pave the way for Alexis Sánchez to leave.

The 20-year-old, who has also been monitored by Tottenham Hotspur, is one of Europe’s hot prospects on the back of his seven goals and four assists in 18 league games for Bordeaux this season. The French club value him at £45 million and he has been learning English, suggesting that he might move to the Premier League.

He began his career at Corinthians, where he never had a great scoring record in a side that included Jádson and Vágner Love, and has played for the Brazil under-20 and under-23 sides. He moved for around