Said El Mala’s agent, his mother Sabrina El Mala, is ‘betting on 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The newspaper reports that Sabrina El Mala was left alarmed by reports earlier this year stating that Brighton had withdrawn from negotiations for the forward.
She wanted to know if the Premier League side had really withdrawn their offer as this did not coincide with the plan. Brighton confirmed that they hadn’t withdrawn their offer, but everything was on hold with FC Cologne.
The German side had blocked negotiations. Brighton were not allowed to submit their €35m offer. Fabian Hürzeler’s side don’t want to go near the €50m asking price. The plan was to wait for a price drop and then move.
In the meantime, Brentford have made a move, offering the €50m that Cologne want. A deal appeared to be advancing, but then a report on Thursday stated that Sabrina El Mala dropped a transfer bombshell on Thursday and blocked the move.
Chelsea finance problem
Sport BILD report that is likely because she is ‘betting on Chelsea’. According to their information, Chelsea have indicated in talks with Said El Mala’s representatives that they can outbid Brighton.
They would then loan the young star back to Cologne for a year. Such an arrangement would be a ‘dream come true’ for the family. El Mala’s future would be sorted, and he could spend another year in his homeland. Cologne would also be happy
The problem is that Chelsea are unlikely to do such a deal. Their finances simply won’t allow a €50m deal this summer, not without sales first. The Blues are, reportedly, avoiding any expensive deals that don’t ‘provide an immediate boost’.
Brighton, meanwhile, are not interested in a loan-back deal. But it seems Sabrina El Mala is holding out hope, perhaps explaining the recent Brentford rejection.