Alious
Brighton & Hove Albion are gearing up to make a much bigger offer for rising star Said El Mala this January, despite the player publicly insisting he won’t leave mid-season.
According to Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Brighton remain relentless in their pursuit of the electric winger, who has been one of the Bundesliga’s standout performers this season. The Seagulls have followed El Mala for years, and club owner **Tony Bloom** is said to be personally invested after tracking his progress since his early days in Germany’s third tier.
Brighton pushed hard for the 22-year-old last summer with a package worth around €15m — structured as €12m upfront plus €3m and a 20% sell-on clause — but Cologne rejected every attempt. Now, Bloom is preparing a **substantially upgraded proposal** in January that reflects El Mala’s soaring market value and will again include a sell-on percentage.
Cologne Stand Firm — But Doors Aren’t Completely Closed**
FC Köln’s leadership have publicly taken a strong stance.
Vice-president Ulf Sobek insists no pre-arranged deals exist, while Managing Director Philipp Türoff stated the player is not for sale under any circumstances in winter.
Türoff reiterated that the club’s priority as a newly promoted side is staying in the Bundesliga, emphasizing El Mala’s importance to their survival hopes:
> “There is absolutely no reason to consider selling him in the winter. We need him.”
El Mala himself has echoed the message, stressing he won’t move unless an “extraordinary offer” arrives — and sources suggest Brighton’s next bid still won’t reach that level.
Possible Loophole: Buy Now, Arrive in Summer
Despite Cologne’s hard line, there is a hint of flexibility.
A recent meeting involving the player, his agent, and club chiefs resulted in a mutual agreement: a winter transfer is off the table, but a direct sale is the only thing ruled out. That wording leaves room for a scenario Brighton know well.
The Seagulls have previously completed January sign-and-loan-back deals, allowing players to stay with their clubs until the season ends. Such an arrangement might satisfy all parties — securing El Mala ahead of rival European clubs without disrupting Cologne’s immediate campaign.
Bottom Line
Brighton are not giving up.
Tony Bloom wants El Mala now, even if he doesn’t arrive until summer, and a “significantly higher” bid is coming. Whether Cologne’s resistance holds firm or cracks under pressure will be one of January’s biggest transfer plotlines.
Alious
