FC Koln icon Lucas Podolski insists it was right to reject Saeed El Mala brentfordDespite a deal being in the final stages.
Sport Bild has an interview today with the World Cup winner in which he supported the 19-year-old's choice and urged him to seriously think about a move to the Premier League.
brentford rejection
That said, El Mala has been the breakout star of the Bundesliga this season, establishing himself as Koln's star man with 13 goals and five assists in 36 games in all competitions.
He now has supporters all over Europe, especially in the Premier League. Brentford are one of them and have recently placed themselves at the front of the queue.
They have indicated to Colon that they will meet their €50m demands for the forward and have even held talks with representatives of El Mala. He is currently represented by his mother, who took over his representation earlier this year.
Looks like there's a trick going onBut her mum dropped a bomb in Brentford last week. He told the bees that this step would not be taken, With reports that she is waiting for Chelsea.
The sudden change shocked most people, but Podolsky believes it was the right thing to do.
Asked about the Brentford rejection, he said, "In my opinion, it wasn't the right club for him anyway."
He was then asked whether it would be a good idea to move to his former club Arsenal. Instead, he thinks El Mala needs to be careful.
"He doesn't have to please Podolski with it, he has to feel the Premier League, he has to be mentally prepared too. He doesn't have to look left and right, I never did that," he said.
€50m loss so far
And he believes the young forward was right to reject the move, even though Koln currently stand to lose €50m in much-needed revenue.
Asked about the price, he concluded, "Hopefully the pound. exchange rate is better."
"FC Köln was fighting relegation for a long time. If you can sell players for that kind of money, you can invest that amount in four or five players. Or you can invest it in the club's training ground.
"Everyone needs money. We are individuals, clubs, companies, everyone. And it would be a lie if FC Köln said they didn't need it."
