"Everyone has dreams" – El Mala makes future admission amid Premier League links
| Photo by Reinaldo Coddou H./Getty Images |
During the summer, Said El Mala was heavily linked with a move away from 1. FC Köln, with Brighton & Hove Albion and Borussia Dortmund among the clubs to have shown interest.
However, he ultimately decided to stay and sign a contract extension until 2031.
In an interview with RTL and Sky, the German international reflected on a busy summer.
“I chose Köln because I simply felt comfortable here. I didn't want to leave, even though there were a lot of enquiries," El Mala said.
“Of course, I listened to what everyone had to say. That's perfectly normal.
"But I had a lot of discussions with the club's board and the coach, and listened to their plans for the team. Looking at things now, those plans have been implemented exactly as promised. I want to make the city and the club happy through my performances and those of the team.”
Although he chose to sign a long-term contract extension, speculation surrounding El Mala's future has continued, with several Premier League clubs and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly among those monitoring his situation.
However, the 20-year-old is unlikely to remain at Köln forever, with the youngster opening up about his ambitions:
“Everyone has dreams. At some point, I want to achieve great things and play in the Champions League. I can't say when that moment will come. But it will happen eventually.”
