Brighton gain advantage in Said El-Mala transfer race as €50m price set

Brighton & Hove Albion could hold a key advantage in the developing transfer race for FC Koln forward Said El-Mala as interest in the teenager intensifies ahead of the summer window.

The 19-year-old attacker has emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s most closely watched young talents this season. According to reports from Germany, both Brighton and Borussia Dortmund are monitoring the player closely as the end of the campaign approaches.

However, the Premier League side may currently be in a stronger position to secure his signature.

Brighton have been tracking El-Mala for several months and already made a concrete attempt to sign him earlier this year.

According to BILD, the Seagulls submitted an offer worth around €30 million during the January transfer window. Koln rejected the proposal, holding firm on their valuation of the player.

The German club are now believed to be demanding around €50 million plus bonuses if they are to sanction a transfer this summer.

Having followed Brighton’s recruitment strategy closely over the past few seasons, the club have consistently targeted emerging talents across Europe before their market value rises further. El-Mala appears to fit that profile.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about whether Brighton will meet Koln’s revised valuation.

Borussia Dortmund are also understood to be evaluating the possibility of signing the forward.

The Bundesliga side have reportedly been monitoring the 19-year-old for months and are expected to assess him again when Koln face Dortmund this weekend. A potential summer move is believed to be under internal discussion.

Yet there are several complications that could affect Dortmund’s pursuit.

Reports suggest the German club would likely need to sell players such as Karim Adeyemi or Felix Nmecha before committing to a transfer of this scale. Additionally, manager Niko Kovač may need to adjust his tactical system to accommodate the young attacker.

There is also previous history between the player and Dortmund that could influence negotiations.

One factor that could work strongly in Brighton’s favour relates to a request involving El-Mala’s brother.

Earlier reports suggested the player previously had a medical scheduled with Dortmund, but the move collapsed when the club declined to also sign his older brother Malek.

Brighton, on the other hand, reportedly showed willingness to accommodate that request as part of their January offer.

That approach could become a decisive factor if negotiations resume during the summer transfer window.

Interest in El-Mala is expected to intensify as the summer transfer window approaches. Brighton could decide whether to return with an improved offer closer to Koln’s €50 million valuation, particularly if competition from other clubs increases.

Borussia Dortmund’s position may depend heavily on outgoing transfers during the summer. Should the German club generate funds through player sales, they could move quickly to enter the race more seriously.

For now, Kolo are likely to continue monitoring the situation while allowing the player to focus on the remainder of the Bundesliga season.