Unai Emery's quest to improve his Arsenal squad ahead of the new Premier League season next month could be handed a boost by La Liga regulations.
The Gunners have so far only added Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli to their squad this summer but it is widely reported Emery is eyeing a compatriot of the teenager.
Barcelona winger Malcom, a target for Arsenal last year before he completed his move from Bordeaux to the Nou Camp, is said to be back in Emery's sights ahead of the new season.
While Arsenal reportedly face competition in the market for the 22-year-old, the transfer chase is handed a significant boost by the rules regarding squads for La Liga sides.
Regulations in Spain mean that each team is only allowed to register three non-EU players, with Barcelona's quota currently filled by Arturo Vidal, Arthur and Malcom .
Ernesto Valverde's side are widely reported to be looking to bring Neymar back to Catalonia from Paris Saint-Germain though, in what is likely to be a record-breaking transfer, and such a move would spark a domino effect in the market.
Should Neymar sign, Barcelona would need to remove one of their current non-EU trio from their squad and Malcom, who made just 15 league appearances last season, is the man most likely to be cut.
As such, the door would be opened for Arsenal, or other interested parties, to complete a deal.
