Arsenal looking to hijack Everton’s £31.5m transfer for Barcelona winger Malcom as Wilfried Zaha alternative

ARSENAL are looking to hijack Everton’s £31.5million move for Barcelona winger Malcom.

The Merseysiders are confident of clinching a deal for the Brazilian in the next few days.

But Arsenal boss Unai Emery has identified the player as an alternative to top target Wilfried Zaha.

The Gunners are trying to  persuade Malcom to delay a move to Goodison while they attempt to negotiate with Barca.

Emery has all but given up on landing Zaha after his £40m bid — which is half what Crystal Palace want — was rejected.

Arsenal  still hope Zaha, 26, will hand in a transfer request in a bid to force through a move to the Emirates.

Arsenal will struggle to match Everton’s offer for Malcom, 22, so will try to persuade Barcelona to accept staggered  payments.

But the Spanish champions want to raise quick cash to  fund  moves for  Neymar and Antoine Griezmann.

The Gunners have confirmed former Invincible Edu as the club’s first technical director.

And the 41-year-old Brazilian will waste no time getting stuck into the job as he flies to the US with Emery’s squad tomorrow.

Edu said: “Arsenal’s always had a special place in my heart.”