Chelsea are weighing up a move for Bundesliga star Said El Mala but will have to fight competition from two Premier League clubs, as per reports.
Currently at FC Koln, El Mala is enjoying a breakthrough campaign in the German division, having notched up eight goals and four assists in 27 appearances so far. His performances have not gone under the radar, with top clubs across Europe now looking to acquire his signature.
According to Kicker, Chelsea are making strong bids for El Mala, with a view to coaxing the youngster to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. However, the Blues are set to face competition from Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United, who are also in the running for the 19-year-old.
Talk of an impending move for El Mala is said to have intensifed after the winger ended the collaboration with his previous advisors. He had been represented by an agent from the Cologne area, who also represented his older brother, Maleek El Mala. He will now be represented by his parents, Sabrina and Mohammed.
The report claimed Brighton have been pursuing El Mala since last summer and have submitted concrete offers for him. More suitors are expected to emerge over the coming weeks and months, with the summer transfer window fast approaching.
Brighton ‘confident’ to beat Chelsea to Said El Mala signing
Amid competition for Said El Mala, Brighton are reportedly confident that they can beat Chelsea and other suitors to the signature of the German. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown suggests that the Seagulls could tempt El Mala to the South Coast with the offer of more regular first-team football.
“Brighton have a good record of unearthing this type of talent,” Brown told Football Insider. “They’re excellent when it comes to assessing the value and potential of these young players, and he’s somebody they’ve been watching closely for a while. They looked at making a move in January but that didn’t happen, now there are going to be other clubs in the Premier League and abroad in the summer. But they’re confident, Brighton, and they will feel they can get ahead of the other clubs.
“Their record speaks for itself and players will take note of that, plus they’ll be able to offer more playing time and opportunities than the bigger clubs. I think they’ll back themselves because he is somebody they like, and usually they do what they can to get it done, but they won’t be made to overpay.”
Chelsea have been active in the recruitment market in recent seasons and have shown a tendency to sign young players. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming months.