brighton and hove albionFC Koln's pursuit of forward Said El Mala is stalling, with Everton and Fulham 'likely to be involved in a bid' for the 19-year-old, and Newcastle United being sent off.
Sport Bild report on the winger today And how Colon is keeping Brighton at an arm's length and waiting for other suitors to step forward.
According to their information, Brighton have made an offer of €35m plus €5m to sign El Mala before the summer. However, Cologne are refusing to budge from the €50m minimum valuation.
For now, there is no deal in sight and Brighton's patience is being tested. Conversations are taking place behind the scenes.
desire for big transfer
The stance inside the colon is clear. That said, the sale of El Mala next summer is already included in the club's financial plans.
Sports directors Thomas Kessler and Tim Steadten maintain active contact with clubs and agents across England. They know that selling El Mala is necessary to finance the next phase of their team's plan.
Chelsea have shown interest but have not yet submitted a formal bid. Newcastle United attempted to initiate negotiations, but were rejected by the player's entourage. He reportedly indicated a preference for Brighton.
The El Mala camp is sending mixed signals
While Said El Mala's family have told Newcastle they are leaning towards Brighton, the situation behind the scenes is more nuanced.
In discussions with Colon, El Mala's mother Sabrina, who is now representing him, has made it clear that he is open to other clubs. This is even though Brighton is the preferred destination.
The family will only consider Brighton's offer if the Premier League reaches an agreement with Colon over a transfer fee. No pressure is being put on the German side. This stance keeps the door open to new bidders.
Everton and Fulham hoped
While Brighton have been unable to close the gap, other Premier League clubs are preparing to make moves. Everton, Brentford and Fulham are considered potential suitors.
It looks like they are 'likely to join the bid' for El Mala at some point. This could certainly happen if the current standoff continues.
Colon is in no hurry. They have tied El Mala to a deal until 2030 and it does not include a release clause. El Mala is considered a rare long-term asset, and they want a high fee for it.
A transfer saga is ready to go
Brighton remain top in terms of player preference, but their reluctance to pay €50m has created an opportunity.
As a result, Everton, Fulham and Brentford are now hidden in the background. Chelsea are still hovering, while Newcastle could also make a second attempt despite having their rejection rejected.
The battle for Saeed Al Malaa appears to be just beginning. Despite the clear preference for Brighton among his representatives, his agent is certainly leaving the door open for anything.
