Brighton & Hove Albion are leading the race for the signature of Chelsea and Newcastle United attacking target Said El Mala.
Said El Mala’s sensational rise has not gone unnoticed, as a host of Premier League clubs are now after him. According to a report from TEAMtalk, Brighton & Hove Albion are leading the race to sign him, while Chelsea and Newcastle United are also keen on the FC Koln wonderkid.
The Bundesliga outfit acquired his services from Viktoria Koln in the summer of 2024. He continued at the German third division outfit on loan for another season before joining up with Koln last summer. El Mala has hardly had any trouble adjusting to life at the highest level.
The 19-year-old winger has been involved in 29 matches across competitions and has racked up over 1,400 minutes. Despite having limited game time, the teenager has 10 goals and four assists to his name. The youngster has been one of their standout performers, and his work hasn’t gone unnoticed.
El Mala’s electric pace, exceptional dribbling and an eye for goal have impressed scouts from a number of clubs. Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Brighton & Hove Albion are all keen on having him in their ranks ahead of next season.
Brighton looking to win the El Mala race
Brighton & Hove Albion are believed to be the front-runners to sign Said El Mala. The Seagulls were after him during the winter window and saw a €30 million offer turned down. They are set to return for him and are pushing to finalise a deal this time around.
The Premier League club are ready to table a significantly improved offer worth €35 million plus performance-based add-ons. The player’s parents, who recently took over as his representatives, have already given Brighton the green light to pursue a deal.
While the Seagulls are leading the race, Newcastle United and Chelsea won’t make things easier for them. The Blues’ project revolves around signing the best young players available in the market. They have a strong interest in El Mala and have already made direct contact. However, his arrival will lead to an overloaded offensive unit, and Chelsea’s interest makes little sense unless they sell Alejandro Garnacho or Jamie Gittens.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United have also entered the race, and they are looking to flex their financial strength to try and strike a deal. With his contract running until 2030, Koln are in a very comfortable position, and they will likely demand a club record fee of over €40 million, when add-ons are factored in.