FC Köln turned down improved Brighton bid for Said El Mala
| Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images |
After having an offer in the region of €15 million turned down for Said El Mala last summer, Brighton & Hove Albion reportedly made a fresh attempt to sign 1. FC Köln’s rising star towards the end of the winter transfer window.
According to Sport Bild, the Premier League side tabled a bid worth around €25-30 million plus add-ons to sign El Mala in the summer, but Köln rejected the offer.
Köln argued that the timing – just before the winter transfer window closed – was unsuitable for negotiations, and they also deemed the proposed fee too low.
That hasn’t deterred Brighton, however, with German head coach Fabian Hürzeler still keen to bring the 19-year-old to England. Further negotiations are expected soon.
As per Sport Bild, El Mala himself hadn’t considered a move until a few weeks ago, but that stance has changed due to his limited playing time.
The report even states that the youngster has informed Köln of his desire to leave in the summer, with the English Premier League his preferred destination.
Brighton are reportedly offering him around €15 million in fixed wages, plus bonuses, over the next five years.
The report further claims that Brighton are also interested in Said El Mala’s older brother, 20-year-old Malek El Mala. An offer for him was likewise rejected before the winter transfer window closed.
Should Brighton succeed in signing Malek as well, the plan would be to develop him through Premier League 2.
