Report: Brighton considering move to sign £30m forward | OneFootball

Brighton explore January move for German winger

Brighton’s finely tuned recruitment model has once again been placed under the spotlight following a report from TeamTalk detailing interest in Koln winger Said El Mala. Sources indicate that the Seagulls have identified the 19 year old as a primary January target, with internal assessments making him one of the club’s most closely monitored prospects.

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Those close to Brighton have described El Mala as “very exciting”, a phrase that has reportedly circulated through Tony Bloom’s data led scouting network alongside glowing technical reports at the American Express Stadium. His Bundesliga form during 2025–26 has validated that enthusiasm, with five goals and two assists recorded across four starts and eight substitute appearances, numbers that hint at both productivity and consistency despite irregular minutes.

His profile fits seamlessly with Brighton’s established blueprint. Quick, fearless in one v one duels and decisive in the final third, El Mala offers the type of wide threat that the club has repeatedly converted into Premier League effectiveness and long term value, following similar development paths to Kaoru Mitoma, Moises Caicedo and Yankuba Minteh.

Release clause shapes Brighton transfer strategy

El Mala remains contracted to Koln until the summer of 2030, yet TeamTalk report that a release clause is embedded within the deal. While the precise figure remains undisclosed, industry consensus places it in the €30–35m range, approximately £30.6m. For Brighton, who have become renowned for leveraging profit driven reinvestment, this valuation is well within operational reach.

The plan is reportedly to agree terms in January, but allow the winger to stay with Koln until season’s end, mirroring prior Brighton strategies that balance immediate squad planning with developmental stability. Given the club’s £120m player sales profit last year alone, activating such a clause for a high ceiling teenager aligns neatly with recent transfer policy.

Bundesliga acclaim underlines growing reputation

In Germany, El Mala’s ascent has been warmly received. Koln manager Lukas Kwasniok acknowledged both the inevitability of future transfer attention and the player’s current mentality.

“Someday, he will be sold for an incredible fee. That’s okay.But I have the feeling that right now he carries Cologne close to his heart, is enjoying his time here – and so are we.”

His rapid progression earned a first senior Germany call up for November’s World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia. Although he was later redirected to the Under 21 squad, national team boss Julian Nagelsmann offered measured praise.

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“He [El Mala] needs to work on the areas that Lukas Kwasniok pointed out to him.He needs to become an undisputed regular at his club.It was his first time here [at senior level] and he was a very pleasant young man. He’s both humble and brash enough.“

Such comments suggest both raw potential and a recognised developmental curve, exactly the blend that aligns with Brighton’s patient approach.

Brighton ready to move as competition builds

Interest from clubs across Italy, Spain and Germany confirms that Brighton are unlikely to be alone for long. The Seagulls’ ability to act early and decisively may prove crucial should the release clause become active or negotiations intensify.

From a strategic standpoint, the move feels distinctly low risk relative to upside. The Premier League offers unrivalled exposure, while Brighton’s framework provides credibility as a proven pathway rather than a developmental dead end. With January nearing, this pursuit could provide the clearest indication yet that Bloom’s model remains as ambitious as it is efficient.

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El Mala looks like the next player shaped for the Albion conveyor belt. The pace, the one v one bravery and the end product all translate into the type of winger that thrives under Brighton’s system. Supporters will also applaud the plan to leave him at Koln until summer. One of the greatest frustrations of modern recruitment is rushing teenagers into the Premier League before they are ready. Brighton rarely make that mistake.

There is always mild anxiety that too many signings can stall pathways for academy players, but this signing feels complementary rather than blockading. Wingers rotate constantly in the Premier League, and depth has often been Brighton’s missing ingredient during European qualification pushes.

The number is also reassuring. €30–35m sounds hefty, but in Brighton terms it remains disciplined business with enormous upside. Fans remember the Caicedo purchase and eventual sale all too well, and El Mala feels cut from similar cloth.

Most supporters will see this move as ambitious without being reckless. It signals that Brighton remain a club hunting for the next big story rather than settling into survival mode. That hunger keeps belief alive that the Seagulls’ rise is far from finished.