'Spectating,' said El Mala's agent, his mother Sabrina El Mala. chelsea' to make a bid for the 19-year-old this summer.
Sport Bild Report That 'El Mama' is rejecting offers from other clubs while she waits for Chelsea to enter the picture.
chelsea hope
The newspaper reports that Sabrina El Mala became concerned earlier this year following reports that the Brighton forward had pulled out of talks.
She wanted to know if the Premier League team had indeed withdrawn their offer because it did not match the plan. Brighton confirmed that they have not withdrawn their offer, but everything with FC Cologne is on hold.
The German side had blocked the negotiations. Brighton were not allowed to submit their €35 million offer. Fabian Herzeler's side do not want to go anywhere near the €50m asking price. The plan was to wait for the price to drop and then move up.
Meanwhile, Brentford have made a move and offered Cologne €50m. It looked like the deal was moving forward, but then a report on Thursday said Sabrina El Mala drops a transfer bomb on Thursday and blocked the move.
chelsea finance problem
Sport Bild report the possibility that he is 'betting on Chelsea.' According to their information, Chelsea have hinted in talks with Said El Mala's representatives that they could pursue a move to Brighton.
They would then send the young star back to Cologne on loan for a year. Such an arrangement would be a 'dream come true' for the family. El Mala's future will be settled, and he can spend another year in his homeland. Cologne will be happy too
The problem is that Chelsea are unlikely to do such a deal. Their financial situation will not allow a €50 million deal this summer, not without a sale first. Reportedly, the Blues are avoiding any expensive deal that does not 'provide an immediate boost'.
Meanwhile, Brighton have no interest in a loan-back deal. But it seems Sabrina El Mala is holding out hope, perhaps explaining the recent Brentford rejection.
