Barcelona's summer signing Malcom was the subject of numerous headlines after he defied odds to sign for the Catalans after almost nearly joining AS Roma. The starlet had agreed on a deal in principle with the Giallorossi but had his move stopped by Bordeaux at the 11th-hour after the club received a substantial offer from Barca.
The Spanish club had been chasing Chelsea's Willian all summer to reinforce their right wing but, upon seeing a series of bids rejected by the Blues, swiftly turned its attention to the Brazilian's younger compatriot who was available for less.
Despite AS Roma announcing Malcom's capture, the tables turned in an epic fashion with the Catalans moving in with full force. Cafu, in a recent interview with Bleacher Report, gave an account of the developments which led to his former teammate moving to Spain instead of Italy.
"In the morning, he trained with me at the gym and told me that his transfer was very close, and after the training, he invited me and my wife to his house for a farewell lunch.
"Back home, while I was quiet on the couch, my wife told me that he was being sold to Roma and so I ran to his house to greet him. I was happy for him, I told him, 'You'll play the Champions League and everyone knows you' and then we went to the airport where a private jet was waiting for him to leave.
"After we arrived there, we waited for his agent. A half an hour, an hour, but nothing- his agent didn't come. There was no trace. Then he called Malcom, who told me that Barça had entered the race.
"I thought he was joking, but it was all true. He was very excited because Barcelona is on another level. The next day I took him back and waited until the last to be sure he was going up there. Barça is a dream for all Brazilians."
