Brighton and Hove Albion have seen a €20m offer for Cologne’s Said El Mala completely ignored. That’s because the German side want €50-60m instead.
That’s according to BILD, who say El Mala is being seen as the man who can heal the wounds left behind by Florian Wirtz in the past.
They lost Wirtz when he was a youngster for a measly €300,000 to Leverkusen. That was a huge blow given he was a ‘once-in-a-century’ talent who later cost Liverpool €140m.
El Mala is seen as the one who can help them to heal from that ‘trauma’. That’s been demonstrated by coach Lukas Kwasniok, who has already insisted he will only go “for an incredibly high price.”
Cologne will not just jump at the first offer they receive. They demonstrated this summer when a €20m bid from Brighton was completely ignored. Indeed, they countered that with a contract extension until 2020. That doesn’t include a release clause either.
The plan is for El Mala to keep adding to his value, shining in Germany and perhaps even making the senior team. No January deals will be considered. Only a move next summer will be sanctioned and buying clubs would need to spend €50-60m.
They intend for Brighton, or any other suitors, to spend big, and help them finally recover from the loss of Florian Wirtz in the process.
