Brighton & Hove Albion could have a double advantage over Borussia Dortmund in the race for Saeed Al-Mala this summer.
At least that's what BILD's latest report is anything to go by. The German newspaper reports that Dortmund are again interested in the 19-year-old, but with a caveat.
According to their information, Dortmund have been keeping a close eye on the FC Cologne star for months. A possible summer transfer is being discussed internally. They'll get a chance to see him up close and personal when the two sides meet this weekend.
A summer transfer looks likely for the youngster, who looks set to make a move after establishing himself at Cologne.
€50m asking price
The Bundesliga side, for their part, are now demanding €50m plus bonuses for their man. The January transfer window had already seen him reject a €30 million offer from Brighton.
The Seagulls are long-time fans and it appears they are determined to sign El-Mala before anyone else. Sport Witness covered a report last month that said Taking the initiative to get a deal done.
Now Dortmund are in the mix, but the odds are stacked against them. Chief among them is the fact that they can only afford El-Mala if they sell star players like Kareem Adeyemi and Felix Nmecha.
Coach Niko Kovach will also have to change his system. And there is also the fact that Dortmund had rejected a deal for El-Mala in the past. He had a medical scheduled at the club, but they refused to sign his older brother Malek, so the deal fell through.
brighton benefits
This is where Brighton could benefit. Not only are they more financially secure than Dortmund, and perhaps willing and able to pay €50m, but they have also shown a willingness to sign his brother.
In fact, A report on 17 Februaryth He revealed that his offer to him in January also included a deal to sign his brother. Seagal appears to have no problem with that particular demand. Thus, they may have an advantage over Dortmund.
However, it makes sense to move towards the German side. This would allow El-Mala to play in the Champions League, develop at the highest level and triple his wages overnight. Otherwise, Brighton will need to convince him otherwise.
