Malcom didn't sign with Roma and Barcelona took advantage
As accusations fly in the direction of LaLiga champions Barça, those at the club remain calm and content with their actions that led to their new signing being completed.
"Very calm." That's the descriptive word coming out of FC Barcelona on the day they completed the signing of Bordeaux winger Malcom, right under the noses of AS Roma.
Barcelona have clear conscience over Malcom
The anger that is clear in Rome is serious, but at the Camp Nou they claim they have a very clear conscience. The Brazilian has signed with Barça until 2023 and tomorrow, after completing a medical, will fly to the United States to meet up with Ernesto Valverde and the rest of his new teammates. The tour, interestingly enough, involves a game against the Serie A side.
More insight | Monchi: Roma are studying legal options after Barça sign Malcom
According to sources at Barcelona who spoke with AS, the operation to bring the 21-year old to the club has been in progress for a month. The reports on the player had been very good and with the constant refusal of Chelsea to lower their 70-million asking price for Willian, the Malcom folder was reopened.
"We assessed that everything was in order and that there were no irregularities," AS was told by the club, and they therefore targeted getting the deal done within 24 hours, something they succeeded with. There had been a belief in the Camp Nou offices that Roma had already sealed the deal with Malcom but the Italian club had chosen not to make an official announcement, despite Bordeaux urging them to do so for their investors.
Monchi's failure, Barça's gain
Officials at Barcelona understand that Monchi is concerned about how he looks after this failed operation but as far as they see it the club did what it had to do. Malcom wanted to play at the Camp Nou and that's why he got off the plane that was meant to take him to Rome and instead chose to sign for Barcelona.
"Virtual agreements are rarely worth anything if they are not signed," they say.
