Brighton encouraged despite Köln stance on Said El Mala interest

Brighton & Hove Albion have received cautious encouragement in their long-running pursuit of Said El Mala after a senior Köln official stopped short of ruling out future transfer interest.

The Seagulls were heavily linked with the 19-year-old winger during the winter window, with reports in Germany claiming a late, significant offer was submitted. While no deal materialised, comments from Köln director Thomas Kessler suggest the Premier League club’s interest has not gone unnoticed and may yet resurface.

Speaking in an interview published by Express.de on 7 February 2026, Kessler was asked directly about reports of a ‘serious offer’ from Brighton worth between €25m and €30m. He declined to confirm the specifics but acknowledged the growing attention around the Germany Under-21 international.

“I generally don’t comment on such speculation in detail,” Kessler said. “What’s crucial for us is that Said has developed very positively in a short time, and his performances have contributed significantly to our season so far.”

Brighton have tracked El Mala for over a year and previously saw a €20m bid rejected last summer. Despite that setback, the club returned in January, with Tony Bloom understood to be personally involved in the renewed push.

According to SportBild, Brighton submitted a formal written offer in the final stages of the window and were prepared to increase El Mala’s salary by up to tenfold. Even so, Köln resisted all approaches and retained one of their standout performers.

Kessler focused his response on the player’s on-pitch development rather than transfer numbers.

“He brings quality to the pitch week after week and has earned this attention through hard work,” he added. “It’s important for us to support him closely, provide him with stability, and take the next steps together.”

While the Bundesliga club have kept their stance deliberately calm, further reporting from Bild last week underlined how difficult a deal could be. Köln are believed to internally value El Mala at around €40m and may seek as much as €50m to €60m if bidding intensifies.

The expectation in Germany is that additional European clubs could enter the race in the summer, potentially driving the price beyond Brighton’s January offer. El Mala’s contract runs until 30 June 2030, strengthening Köln’s negotiating position.

When asked whether the club could keep him beyond this season, Kessler stressed long-term planning rather than short-term profit.

“We deliberately signed Said to a long-term contract before the season even started because we are convinced of his development and have a clear plan for him,” he said. “At the same time, it’s part of our business to consider market developments.”

Having followed Brighton’s recruitment closely this season, their persistence with El Mala fits a familiar pattern. The club have repeatedly shown a willingness to return for priority targets after initial rejection, particularly when a player profile aligns closely with their tactical model.

El Mala’s output this season strengthens that logic. The winger has scored seven goals and provided three assists in 21 league appearances, contributing consistently while still only 19. His blend of pace, end product and adaptability across the front line remains attractive.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions. Much will depend on Köln’s league finish, the volume of competing offers and whether Brighton are prepared to stretch further financially.

With the winter window closed, attention now shifts to the summer market. Brighton are expected to reassess their wide options at the end of the season, while Köln will monitor interest as El Mala continues to develop.

If the player maintains his current trajectory, formal talks could resume once the campaign concludes. Any deal is likely to hinge on valuation and competition rather than willingness to sell. For now, Köln remain publicly relaxed, but the door does not appear firmly shut.

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