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Chelsea ramp up pursuit of 'one-in-a-million' wonderkid as bid confirmed
Tom Weber
- 12 Dec 2025 20:55 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Premier League suitors, including Chelsea, are ramping up their pursuit of Koln wonderkid Said El Mala, according to German media.
The 19-year-old is the breakout star of the current Bundesliga season. El Mala already made headlines at the U21 European Championship in the summer, and he has continued his blistering form in his debut campaign in the top flight.
The teenager has netted six goals and provided three assists in 13 appearances - or fewer than 600 minutes - this season. Head coach Lukas Kwasniok has tried to put a lid on the hype to protect the youngster, but he has failed miserably - El Mala is the name on everyone's lips.
Current ETV
Said El Mala
F, M (L)
Koln
Said El Mala
F, M (L)
Koln
ETV Range
€15.9M - €19.4M
When journalists surrounded the youngster at Koln's training ground recently, Kwasniok jokingly yelled, "They finally got you. They're like vultures!" During the interview, El Mala insisted that he is not planning to leave Koln in January, despite high-profile interest from England.
Described as "one in a million," the tricky winger was part of the Germany's senior squad in the previous international break, illustrating his rapid rise. In the summer, Brighton made two bids for him, but Koln rejected them out of hand in the knowledge that his value would skyrocket this season.
Brighton offers confirmed, but bigger clubs now circle
Given the Seagulls' track record of spotting talent, it is unsurprising that they were ahead of the curve in the summer. Lionell Souque, chairman of supermarket chain REWE and long-time member of Koln's board, has confirmed that Tony Bloom personally called him to discuss a deal.
"Through a friend at carnival, the owner of the club had my mobile number, called me and tried to see if I was more willing to talk than our management," Souque explained on the OMR-Podcast.
"I told him: ‘I’m glad we’re talking, but I’m a fruit and vegetable vendor, you’re apparently a poker player - there’s no way we’re going to negotiate.’ He didn’t find that funny!”
Brighton's failure to get a deal over the line in the previous window could come back to bite them as bigger clubs, like Chelsea and Man Utd, are now circling for El Mala. BILD reports that several Premier League outfits are willing to bid more than €30 million in January.
However, as mentioned, neither the player nor his club is keen on a mid-season transfer. Moreover, Koln believe that they could get as much as €50m - and potentially even more if he keeps up his current form - for him next summer.
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