Brighton Ramp Up Pursuit of FC Köln’s Said El Mala After €30m Bid Turned Down

Key Takeaways:

• Brighton saw their €30m offer for FC Köln’s Said El Mala rejected in their ongoing summer transfer efforts
• The 19-year-old winger reportedly remains interested in a Premier League move, with Brighton pushing for a swift decision
• Köln could sanction a club record departure if Brighton meet a €40m valuation for El Mala

Brighton Maintain Interest in El Mala

Brighton & Hove Albion have renewed their advance for 1.FC Köln winger Said El Mala after having an initial €30m proposal declined. The Premier League club have been tracking the 19-year-old for some time, having already tabled an offer before he truly emerged as a breakout star this season.

Following El Mala’s continued strong performances, Brighton have intensified negotiations and are eager to secure clarity on the player’s future ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The latest developments indicate that while Köln rebuffed the €30m bid, a subsequent offer of €40m could be enough to finalise the transfer, setting a new sales record for the German side.

🚨🆕 Brighton are keeping Said El Mala as a dream summer target and have submitted a written offer for the 19 y/o winger in January. Brighton offered up to €30 million for the shooting star. Plus 10 % sell-on, after Sportbild.

Köln boss Thomas Kessler rejected, as El Mala is… pic.twitter.com/ba14N2MZFD

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 16, 2026

Player Perspective and Potential Transfer Dynamics

According to reports, El Mala is understood to be receptive to the prospect of joining the Premier League. Brighton are seeking a definitive answer on his availability to allow both clubs to plan effectively for the summer.

If an agreement is reached at the suggested €40m fee, Köln would achieve their highest-ever transfer income, highlighting the scale of Brighton’s commitment and the winger’s perceived value.

Köln’s Internal Dilemma With El Mala

Internally, Köln have faced scrutiny over head coach Lukas Kwasniok’s handling of El Mala’s playing time. The manager has frequently opted to start the winger from the bench, citing the player’s positive impact as a substitute, despite El Mala being among the squad’s standout performers. This approach has led to unrest among supporters, increasing uncertainty regarding the youngster’s long-term future in Cologne.