FC Köln have firmly turned down Brighton & Hove Albion’s €35 million bid for highly rated youngster Said El Mala, making it clear that they will only consider offers starting at €50 million. The German side are standing their ground and have no intention of lowering their demands.
Reports from Sky Germany indicate that Brighton recently submitted the €35 million proposal in an attempt to secure the signature of the 19-year-old winger. However, Köln believe the amount falls well short of El Mala’s true market value, especially after his impressive breakthrough campaign in the Bundesliga.
As a result, discussions between both clubs have currently been paused. Neither Brighton nor Köln appear willing to compromise on their respective valuations at this stage. Even so, interest in the teenager remains strong, and the transfer saga is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Brighton have been tracking El Mala for a long time, with their interest dating back to last summer. The Premier League club had hoped to position themselves ahead of other potential suitors and have now followed that interest with an official offer. Despite this, Köln have labeled the bid inadequate and reiterated their €50 million asking price.
If the German club eventually receive that amount, it would represent the biggest sale in their history. Their current transfer record stands at the €35 million sale of Anthony Modeste to Chinese side Tianjin Tianhai in 2017. Köln are now hoping to significantly surpass that figure with El Mala’s transfer.
Despite growing attention around the player, Köln’s leadership remain relaxed about the situation. They are reportedly calm and under no pressure to sell, mainly because El Mala is under contract until 2030 and his deal contains no release clause. This gives the club complete control over negotiations and allows them to wait for an offer that meets their expectations.
Brighton, meanwhile, are said to have stepped back temporarily after failing to make progress. Although they reportedly offered El Mala wages worth five times his current salary, they have not yet shown any desire to match Köln’s €50 million valuation.
Several other Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United, have also been linked with the player in recent months. Köln may be hoping that strong interest from multiple clubs sparks a bidding battle that drives the price even higher.
For now, one message from FC Köln is clear: €35 million is nowhere near enough, and unless someone meets their €50 million demand, Said El Mala is staying put.
