If Zenit decides to sell Malcolm for more than €40 million, Barcelona would stand to receive a share of that transfer, reflecting a clause from their prior deal. This arrangement was part of the negotiations that brought the Brazilian winger to Zenit, and it means Barca can benefit financially if Malcolm is moved for a price higher than Zenit’s original bid.
Zenit initially acquired Malcolm from Barcelona and included a structured compensation plan. The deal featured an upfront €40 million payment, followed by an additional €5 million in potential bonuses tied to performance milestones or future club decisions. The Catalan side negotiated a provision ensuring a portion of any future sale would flow back to Barcelona if the market value exceeded Zenit’s initial offer, creating a lasting linkage between the two clubs in Malcolm’s career path.
Several prominent clubs from Europe were reportedly monitoring Malcolm’s situation, including Arsenal, Newcastle United, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain. Interest from these teams indicated that the player’s performance with Zenit had attracted attention from elite-level squads across the major leagues, highlighting his continued visibility on the continental stage even as transfer talk simmered in the background.
Zenit granted Malcolm permission to travel back to Brazil ahead of the season’s conclusion due to the arrival of a child, a personal matter that allowed the team to manage squad rotation and logistics without disrupting their campaign strategy. The move demonstrated Zenit’s flexibility in handling off-field events while maintaining competitive focus on domestic and European ambitions.
In the 2022/23 season, Malcolm was among the most productive players in Zenit’s squad, appearing in 33 matches across all competitions. He accumulated 26 goals and 9 assists, underscoring his key role in the attack and his ability to influence outcome-driven results. As the campaign progressed, he emerged as a top scorer in the league standings, with a comfortable lead over the next-best performer, a position that reinforced his value to the team and attracted continued interest from prospective buyers and rival clubs alike.
Public posts from Malcolm on social media during this period showed him celebrating personal milestones, including the birth of his son. The image and accompanying captions highlighted a moment of personal joy that accompanied a demanding professional schedule, illustrating the balance players often strike between high-level competition and family life. These moments resonated with fans and served to humanize a player who is frequently scrutinized for his on-field decisions and contract negotiations.
Overall, Malcolm’s trajectory at Zenit during that season illustrated a profile of consistent goal involvement and a breadth of experience across domestic leagues and international competition. The potential financial arrangements surrounding his transfer, coupled with sustained interest from top clubs, positioned him as a focal point in the broader conversations about player value, market dynamics, and strategic club collaborations in modern football. The situation also reflected how clubs manage long-term relationships through transfer clauses that can benefit both the selling and purchasing sides when market valuations rise.