No serious offer yet for Said El Mala amid England links, says club boss

No serious offer yet for Said El Mala amid England links, says club boss

Said El Mala has been linked with a move to England, but 1. FC Köln sporting managing director Thomas Kessler says no serious offer has been made for the 19-year-old so far.

According to reports, El Mala’s family has given the green light for a potential move to Brighton & Hove Albion, but the Seagulls’ offer of €35 million plus add-ons falls short of Köln’s valuation.

“We are in very reliable and close communication with Said and his family. As of now, we have not received an offer from another club that we would need to consider seriously. So far, the player himself has also expressed no desire to enter talks with other clubs,” Kessler told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.

“The initiative lies with 1. FC Köln – Said is still under contract with us until 2030,” Kessler said.

Kessler also denied reports that Köln have set a €50 million asking price for El Mala, stating that the club “has not defined a pain threshold” nor a fixed deadline for the player’s future to be clarified.

“There is no specific date or range. Of course, it is clear that at the right time we will address the topic."

For now, avoiding relegation remains the top priority for both El Mala and Köln.

“We have been closely supporting Said since the start of the season. He has made it absolutely clear that his full focus is currently on his development at the FC and the end-of-season push. He has clear goals with the club. He also has the full backing and support of his family,” Kessler explained.

Chelsea have also been mentioned as suitors, while it was recently reported that the player’s family rejected an approach from Newcastle United.