Barcelona chiefs overruled Ernesto Valverde this summer in his plans for Chelsea ace Willan.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona chiefs were reluctant to back the coach's opinion and instead swooped for Malcom.
The Brazil winger was all set to join AS Roma from Bordeaux before Barca stepped in and nicked him from under their noses. For now, Malcom is struggling to find his way into Valverde's first team plans.