Brighton lodge fresh bid for Koln winger Said El Mala

Brighton have lodged a fresh formal offer for 19-year-old Koln winger Said El Mala, pushing again after two earlier bids were turned down. The Premier League club intensified their pursuit following his rapid rise this season and want to secure his signature before his value increases.

Their January proposal featured a guaranteed transfer fee of about €25–26m, a 10 per cent sell-on clause and a plan for El Mala to remain in Germany on loan for the rest of the campaign, with a gross Premier League salary of up to €3.5m. The offer also included a move for his brother Malek from Koln’s reserve side, but sporting director Thomas Kessler refused to engage in negotiations to avoid unsettling the squad during the relegation battle.

Tension has grown between El Mala and head coach Lukas Kwasniok, with public comments and limited starts adding strain. The winger has seven goals and three assists this term but has been used as a substitute in 13 of his 22 Bundesliga appearances, which has left him frustrated and seeking a new challenge.

Germany, Koln

brighton, el mala, koln, winger, transfer bid, premier league, €25–26m, sell-on clause, loan, relegation battle