Brighton & Hove Albion have not entirely abandoned their pursuit of 1. FC Köln winger Said El Mala, despite recent reports suggesting the player may remain in Germany, according to local publication Express. The Premier League club initially made a move for the 19-year-old but paused negotiations after failing to agree on a fee with Köln, who are seeking around €50 million for the highly-rated prospect.
Recent speculation indicated El Mala would likely stay at Köln beyond the summer transfer window, but Brighton’s interest persists. The Seagulls were also linked with another Köln player, Jakub Kamiński, but he is now expected to join Benfica, potentially refocusing Brighton’s attention on El Mala. Brighton’s initial offer reportedly reached around €35 million, falling short of Köln’s valuation.
El Mala emerged as a promising talent in the Bundesliga last season, making 23 appearances for Köln across all competitions, contributing with two goals and two assists. He primarily operates as a right winger, known for his dribbling ability and pace, attributes that would likely appeal to Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi’s attacking style. The club’s willingness to wait until later in the transfer window suggests they are hoping Köln may become more amenable to a deal as the window progresses.
The competition for El Mala’s signature appears to have lessened in recent weeks, potentially improving Brighton’s chances. The player has already rejected an offer from Brentford, and Newcastle United have strengthened their wide options with the acquisition of Bazoumana Touré from Hoffenheim. Previous interest from Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool has not materialized into concrete offers, leaving Brighton as one of the few remaining contenders. Köln, however, have reportedly indicated they have no plans to reduce their asking price, meaning Brighton will likely need to significantly increase their offer to secure El Mala’s services. A successful transfer would add another young, dynamic player to Brighton’s squad, further bolstering their attacking options in the Premier League.
