Malcom in the Meddle: Fans React as New Barça Star Scores Against Roma Days After Transfer Hijacking

One of the summer's strangest transfer stories took place last week when Brazilian winger Malcom's transfer to Roma was hijacked at the eleventh hour by

One of the summer's strangest transfer stories took place last week when Brazilian winger Malcom's transfer to Roma was hijacked at the eleventh hour by Barcelona.

A deal had been agreed between Malcom's former club Bordeaux and Roma for the player's signature, with the Italian side even announcing the deal on social media before Barcelona swooped in at the last minute to shepherd the would be Roman over to Catalonia.

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Roma sporting director Monchi suggested legal action could be taken in the aftermath of the fiasco, while club president James Pallotta claimed only sending Lionel Messi their way would make things right between the two clubs.

And as if things couldn't get much more awkward, Malcom has added insult to injury by scoring against the club he ditched for Barcelona in a pre-season friendly - though Roma did eventually go on to win the match 4-2.

Roma's notoriously witty social media team at least took the unusual situation in good humour (probably), tweeting Barcelona's starting lineup prior to the match with one name redacted. 

This is how our opponents FC Barcelona will line up tonight against #ASRoma in the @IntChampionsCup at the @ATTStadium in Dallas pic.twitter.com/ommJHt0wVs

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) August 1, 2018

Another tweet by Roma's English account showed the club's muted words on the site, which included phrases such as 'Announce Malcom' and 'Where is Malcom' in response to the repeated jokes and questions regarding the player and his collapsed move to the club.

Roma's somewhat passive-aggressive handling of the situation drew a reaction on social media, with a host of fans seeing the funny side and many Barcelona fans offering their own retorts to Roma's jibes at the expense of their new player.

Things would get even more uncomfortable when Malcom netted in the second half. Something Roma's Twitter were not prepared to let go...

49' - Goal for Barcelona. They retake the lead through... Malcom, inevitably. 🤷‍♂️
#BarcaRoma 2⃣-1⃣

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) August 1, 2018

Though the tweet caused quite a stir on social media, Malcom himself did not show any sign of being offended.

"It's a joke, nothing happens. I'm not angry," the winger told Mundo Deportivo after the game.

Malcom joined Barcelona for €41m after spending three years at Bordeaux, where he scored an impressive 23 goals in 96 appearances for the French side.