Köln put to rest rumors linking Said El Mala with Brighton | OneFootball

Bundesliga outfit FC Köln have responded swiftly to rumors linking German attacker Said El Mala with a move to Brighton. Both Said (18) and his brother Malek (20) were awarded contract extensions on Saturday. Said has become quite the hot commodity after scoring 13 goals and registering five assists on loan at Fortuna Köln in the 3. Liga last season. Said has also recently thrived with the Germany U19s.

“We are delighted that we have been able to offer Malek and Said – together with their family – clear prospect for the long-term,” Köln sporting director Thomas Kessler noted in a club statement. “Both brothers have enormous potential for development.

“We believe Said is capable of making the direct leap into our Bundesliga team,” Kessler continued. “He has developed exceptionally well, thanks in part to the good cooperation with Viktoria Cologne.”

“Last season gave me a huge boost,” Said added in his own statement. “I’m very happy that things are really taking off at FC now. I want to repay the trust placed in me by those responsible and take the next step in the Bundesliga.”

Newly appointed Köln head coach Lukas Kwasniok also had a chance to comment on the Premier League rumors yesterday. Speaking after a friendly against cross-town club Fortuna Köln, the 44-year-old noted just how insane the concept of Brighton preparing a double-digit million offer for the teenage talent was.

“One can see how crazy the world of football has become,” Lukas Kwasniok said after the pointing out that El Mala has not even completed a training session with the Bundesliga club yet. “The prices being talked about are unreal.”

GGFN | Peter Weis