Report: Brighton pushing hard to sign talented Bundesliga star | OneFootball

Brighton Transfer Plan: Said El Mala Deal Could Include Brother

Brighton and Hove Albion’s recruitment model has long thrived on spotting the next surge before it becomes a wave. According to The Times, their pursuit of FC Köln winger Said El Mala reflects that same instinct, albeit with an intriguing family twist.

The 19 year old has risen at startling speed. A year ago, he was operating in Germany’s third tier with Viktoria Köln. Now he is a focal point in the Bundesliga, with an outside chance of inclusion in Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany World Cup squad. Brighton’s interest has evolved alongside that trajectory.

Rapid Rise from 3 Liga to Bundesliga Spotlight

El Mala’s production speaks clearly. Eight goals in 23 league appearances, four of those strikes coming from the bench, alongside three assists as a substitute. As a starter, he has four goals and one assist. His manager at Köln, Lukas Kwasniok, has often framed him as an impact option rather than a consistent starter, arguing that pace and one on one ability are best unleashed against tiring defences.

“It has become more difficult for him, regardless of whether he starts games or not. The opponents adapt to defend him more and more,” Kwasniok said. “The next step for him will be to succeed under more difficult circumstances.”

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That philosophy has not entirely convinced the player. After trailing Stuttgart, Kwasniok introduced El Mala and Luca Waldschmidt after 68 minutes. Köln equalised before conceding twice late on. The debate over trust and responsibility continues.

January Approach and Financial Outline

Brighton’s interest is concrete. An offer of roughly £22million and a weekly salary of £58,000 was tabled in January, alongside discussions of loaning El Mala back until June. Thomas Kessler, Köln’s sporting director, rejected the approach.

There is an added dimension. Brighton are prepared to sign his older brother, Malek, currently with Köln’s reserves in the fourth division. The pair are close, having played together at Viktoria Köln, and this family angle is viewed as a persuasive factor. Malek is presently sidelined with a muscle tear and has not featured in the Bundesliga, but his inclusion could help unlock the deal.

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Contract Security and World Cup Calculations

Köln hold contractual leverage. El Mala signed an extension until June 2030 last summer, without a release clause. That gives them control, though not certainty.

“I was the last to celebrate with him, because I was the furthest away,” defender Joël Schmied said after El Mala’s equaliser against Hoffenheim in a 2-2 draw. “He told me that he was super happy that it finally had worked out again. There is so much pressure on this guy.”

Pressure is a recurring theme. El Mala has voiced displeasure over limited starts and certain aspects of his manager’s approach. With Nagelsmann having already selected him for qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia, albeit without a debut, there remains a World Cup subplot. Even brief tournament exposure would inflate his valuation.

Brighton are expected to return before season’s end. This feels aligned with their method, early, decisive, structurally sound. Köln hope he stays one more year. Momentum suggests otherwise.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Brighton have built a reputation for identifying talent before the market overheats. El Mala’s numbers, eight league goals at 19, underline why interest has intensified.

There will be admiration for the creativity of including his brother in negotiations. Brighton’s structure can absorb developmental signings, and the emotional dimension could be decisive. Fans understand that pathways and environment matter as much as fees.

Concern lingers around timing. With European ambitions growing, supporters want immediate contributors rather than projects. Yet El Mala appears closer to ready than raw. His ability to score off the bench, adapt in tight spaces and perform under Bundesliga scrutiny suggests he could translate quickly.

The financial framework also feels manageable. £22million in today’s market for a player tied down until 2030 reflects ambition without recklessness. If secured before a possible World Cup surge, it may prove astute.

Brighton supporters have learned to trust this model. If the club believes El Mala is the next step in its evolution, many will back the move, family package included.