FC Köln sporting director Thomas Kessler has hit back at Said El Mala's claims chelsea Has been constantly linked with the 19-year-old.
Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger Report Today on the Koln Star, which also includes comments from Kessler, who appears to be frustrated by the constant transfer rumours.
Chelsea's efforts lead to disappointment
Reports over the past few weeks have repeatedly linked Chelsea with a move for Saeed El Mala. They have come from both Germany and England.
A report from Germany last month The Blues were said to have held concrete talks about signing El Mala this summer.
A week later a second report came out in which it was emphasized that Chelsea were ready to break the asking price To secure El Mala's signature before the competition. However, Kessler insists that this is not the case.
"We maintain a very trusting and close relationship with Said and his family," he said.
"At the moment, we have not received any offers from other clubs that we need to seriously consider. The player has also not expressed any desire to engage in discussions with other clubs."
He then went on to dismiss suggestions that El Mala was being positioned for a Premier League switch:
He added, "Said has made it abundantly clear that his entire focus is currently on FC Köln and his development over the season."
no agent mandate
Reports in England had suggested that 'super-agent' Ali Barat was working on behalf of Koln to bring Saeed El Mala to the Premier League market.
Barat has strong links to England and indeed Chelsea. He negotiated Nicholas Jackson's move from Stamford Bridge to Bayern Munich last summer.
However, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports that this is not the case. He says club sources insist that Colon has not authorized Barrat or any other intermediary to represent him in a potential sale.
The German side is refusing to rush into the summer narrative in any way. Kessler is making that point very clear.
"The ball is in 1. FC Köln's court. Saeed is under contract with us until 2030," he concluded.
