Malcom: Flamengo and Gremio battle Al Hilal winger as UAE move also discussed

Brazil winger Malcom is at the centre of an emerging transfer tug-of-war, with Brazilian giants Flamengo and Gremio vying for his signature and UAE side Al Jazira also holding talks, as he edges towards the exit at Saudi club Al Hilal.

The 29-year-old winger’s contract with Al Hilal expires at the end of next season, meaning he will be free to sign a pre-contract with any club in the upcoming winter transfer window and leave on a free transfer the following summer.

However, sources in Brazil say the player is actively exploring ways to cut short his stay in Saudi Arabia.

Brazilian giants move for Malcom

According to “FLAMILIA DA NACAO”, a social media account that closely tracks Flamengo, the Rio de Janeiro club has entered into direct competition with domestic rivals Gremio to secure Malcom ahead of next season.

Gremio were the first to formally approach the former Barcelona forward, tabling an offer worth two million Brazilian reais per month. That package is said to be only a fifth of his current salary at Al Hilal, where he reportedly earns around 10 million reais a month.

Despite the substantial pay cut, interest from both Flamengo and Gremio underlines Malcom’s enduring profile in Brazilian football, following an eight-year spell in Europe and Russia with Bordeaux, Barcelona, Zenit Saint Petersburg and others before his move to Saudi Arabia.

Player keen on Europe but options limited

Reports indicate that Malcom’s first choice is to terminate his contract with Al Hilal and engineer a return to a European league in the 2025-26 season.

But he is yet to receive a proposal he considers suitable from European clubs, prompting him to seriously weigh a move back to Brazil. The lack of concrete offers from Europe has opened the door for Flamengo and Gremio, who both see a chance to add a high-profile attacking option without paying a transfer fee if they can wait until his contract runs down.

In the meantime, Malcom is understood to be assessing which project will best revive his career after a period of inconsistency in Saudi Arabia.

Al Jazira talks add Gulf twist

Brazilian journalist Pablo Oliveira has revealed that Brazil is not the only realistic landing spot for Malcom.

Oliveira reports that discussions have taken place between Malcom and UAE Pro League club Al Jazira about a possible move next season. Any switch to Abu Dhabi would keep the winger in the Gulf region and close to the salary levels he currently enjoys at Al Hilal, potentially making it a financially attractive compromise if a European or Brazilian deal cannot be finalised.

No agreement has yet been announced, but the talks place Al Jazira firmly in the race alongside Flamengo and Gremio.

From historic treble to uncertain future

Malcom joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 from Zenit Saint Petersburg and made an immediate impact, helping the Riyadh club to a historic domestic treble of Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup and Saudi Super Cup in his first campaign.

However, his performances have dipped over the past two seasons, raising questions about his long-term role at the club.

The former Barcelona player came close to leaving Al Hilal in the last summer transfer window, particularly after a heated exchange with fans following the side’s elimination in the quarter-finals of the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Despite the friction, Italian head coach Simone Inzaghi intervened at the time to keep Malcom in the squad, backing him to rediscover his best form.

With his contract running down and interest mounting on multiple fronts, Al Hilal now face a decision: cash in early, agree an amicable termination, or risk losing the Brazilian on a free transfer next summer as Flamengo, Gremio and Al Jazira circle.