Brighton and Hove Albion are continuing to push to sign Said El Mala, with the next round of talks ‘imminent’.
That’s according to SportBILD. The German newspaper reports that Brighton are not giving up on the winger, or his brother Malek. They want both this summer.
The Seagulls recently submitted a written offer to Cologne for El-Mala, who they first targeted in the summer. This was worth up to €30m. The German side rejected it after consulting various, relevant bodies.
But the next round of negotiations are imminent. Brighton aren’t giving up and want to sign both Said and his brother Malek, who plays for Cologne’s U21s, this summer. And they may be helped by a growing tension at the German club.
Brighton may be helped by player relationship
Said El Mala
COLOGNE, GERMANY – 28 SEPTEMBER, 2025: Said El Mala – The football match of Bundesliga 1.FC Koeln vs VfB Stuttgart at Rhein Energie Stadion.
According to SportBILD’s information, Said’s relationship with coach Lukas Kwasniok is growing increasingly tense. The pair are said to have a rather cool relationship.
In fact, El Mala made this clear to Cologne when he informed the club at the end of January that he could imagine a move to Brighton in the summer. The relationship seems to be one of the reasons he can imagine moving on, after previously rejecting the idea.
Cologne insist that Kwasniok has been trying to protect the player. But El Mala has taken comments over the last few months differently. One comment, which suggested the player was too good for ‘hard work’, surprised him and his family. He’s never received such feedback.
Their worsening relationship has pushed him to the exit door, something which may suit Brighton perfectly. They’re planning their next round of talks with Cologne imminently either way.