The Kölnische Rundschau reports that Brighton aren’t prepared to give up their pursuit of 1. FC Köln talent Said El Mala. Despite the fact that the 18-year-old just signed a contract extension with his Bundesliga club days ago, the Premier League outfit is preparing a new oversized offer.
Brighton recently offered Germany’s cathedral city club €10m for the Krefeld-native, who still hasn’t even made an appearance for die Geißböcke. Now, according to the German paper, the Seagulls are putting €15m on the table and offering Köln a 20 percent re-sale clause.
Such a sensational rumor doesn’t necessarily shock, but it is difficult to imagine either El Mala or the club entertaining the notion of completing the deal. The sum may engender some interest from the club’s front office, but the player still hasn’t appeared professionally above the German third division.
Said and his older brother Malik were both signed to contract extensions last week. Whether Said wishes to depart his home and family so soon counts as questionable.
GGFN | Peter Weis
