"An exciting player" – Fabian Hürzeler breaks silence on Brighton's interest in Köln's El Mala
| Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images |
For some time now, Brighton & Hove Albion have been linked with a move for rising 1. FC Köln star Said El Mala as well as his older brother, Malek.
Brighton coach Fabian Hürzeler has now spoken to Sky Germany about the interest, admitting that he believes the 19-year-old is an “exciting player.”
However, he also pointed out that Köln are currently fighting against relegation in the Bundesliga, which must take priority for the Billy Goats.
“He is definitely a good player, an exciting player – but in the end, he is a player of 1. FC Köln,” Hürzeler told Sky Germany.
"They are currently fighting against relegation, and therefore I think it is important to respect that. He is not our player. If he should become a player of ours, I will then also deal with these matters."
1. FC Köln sporting managing director Thomas Kessler revealed on Thursday that there have been no “serious” offers for El Mala yet.
“We are in very reliable and close communication with Said and his family. As of now, we have not received an offer from another club that we would need to consider seriously. So far, the player himself has also expressed no desire to enter talks with other clubs,” Kessler told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
“The initiative lies with 1. FC Köln – Said is still under contract with us until 2030,” Kessler said.
