Brighton target Said El Mala has reportedly been the subject of interest from two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, Chelsea and Newcastle.
The young German winger has been one of the Seagulls’ top targets since last summer, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side eager to bolster their attacking options and help him live up to his huge potential that many have spoken about.
The Albion reportedly saw a significant £25million, plus add-ons, bid rejected by FC Koln for El Mala late in the January transfer window, with the Bundesliga side feeling the offer was too low and expressing that the youngster is an important part in their fight for survival.
The deal was also said to involve his older brother Malek El Mala, who would’ve linked up with Brighton’s Under-21s for the remainder of the Premier League 2 campaign.
According to Kicker, Newcastle and Chelsea have now joined the race for the 19-year-old and are pushing their projects in the hope that he picks them over the Seagulls.
It’s also said that the wonderkid has left his agent, who was from the Cologne area, and will now be represented by his parents, Mohammed and Sabrina El Mala. It’s not unusual for German players to be represented by their family, as seen with Liverpool star Florian Wirtz, who is also advised by his parents.
There is likely to be much interest surrounding the Koln star in the summer, with his price tag reportedly sitting at around £43million.
However, El Mala has struggled for minutes in the Bundesliga over the past few months, prompting some comments from German national team manager Julian Nagelsmann, and if that trend continues, then suitors will hope that his price tag could decrease and open up the opportunity for a team to snap him up for what could prove to be a bargain fee.