PSG tried to explore a free transfer for Malcom in January | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain suffered numerous setbacks after missing out on multiple targets during the January transfer window.

Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar was their priority. PSG reached a pre-agreement over his free transfer next summer but were keen on a move in January.

However, the Nerazzurri turned down the French giants’ offer of €10 million and declared that the Slovak was not for sale.

Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech emerged as a top attacking target on the final day of the transfer window. A move was on the cards after both clubs reached an agreement and the Moroccan passed his medical.

However, the deal was called off in the eleventh hour after both clubs failed to finalise the documents before the 11.00 pm deadline.

PSG lost their appeal in their efforts to get Ziyech’s deal over the line. The French champions were furious with Chelsea for sending the wrong documents repeatedly during the negotiations.

L’Equipe (h/t Get French Football News) has given an account of another failed target in the January transfer window – Zenit St Petersburg’s Malcom.

PSG had reportedly been working on Malcom’s deal, with the Brazilian identified as a replacement for Pablo Sarabia, who had joined Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Les Parisiens’ football advisor Luis Campos was trying to sign Malcom for free, as a FIFA rule allows players from the Russian and Ukrainian leagues to cancel their contracts temporarily.

However, PSG hit a stumbling block after finding out that the 25-year-old has a clause in his contract which prevents him from leaving the Russian giants before the expiry of his deal.

Zenit demanded around €30m for the former Barcelona star, which saw PSG pull the plug on the move.

PSG also had Marco Asensio on their radar, but Real Madrid were reluctant to sell him in January. They are now targeting a free transfer for him in the summer.