{"id":3062,"date":"2026-03-10T18:16:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T18:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=3062"},"modified":"2026-03-10T18:16:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T18:16:43","slug":"chelsea-making-strong-bid-to-sign-forward-ahead-of-newcastle-and-brighton-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=3062","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea ‘making strong bid’ to sign forward ahead of Newcastle and Brighton | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Said El Mala is attracting strong interest from Chelsea, Brighton and Newcastle (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chelsea have joined Brighton in the race to sign Koln forward Said El Mala in the summer transfer window, according to reports in Germany.<\/p>\n

El Mala is enjoying an eye-catching breakthrough season in the Bundesliga with Koln, racking up eight goals and four assists in a struggling team languishing down in 14th in the table. <\/p>\n

The 19-year-old winger has made a seamless transition into German top-flight football after playing third-tier football with Viktoria Koln just last season.<\/p>\n

So meteoric has El Mala\u2019s rise been that he received his first call-up to Germany\u2019s senior squad for the side\u2019s final World Cup qualifying matches against Luxembourg and Slovakia in November.<\/p>\n

However, there is mounting uncertainty and speculation surrounding El Mala\u2019s future behind the scenes, with top clubs across European football alerted to the forward\u2019s excellent form.<\/p>\n

According to German publication Kicker, talk of an impending move has only intensified after El Mala\u2019s collaboration with his previous advisors recently came to an end. The youngster will now be represented by his parents Sabrina and Mohammed.<\/p>\n

Brighton \u2013 a club renowned for their elite scouting and recruitment department \u2013 are said to have been pursuing El Mala since last summer and have submitted \u2018concrete offers\u2019 for the sought-after teenager.<\/p>\n

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El Mala is enjoying an outstanding debut season in the Bundesliga (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The teenager recently extended his contract with Koln until 2030 (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s claimed both Chelsea and Newcastle are also \u2018making strong bids\u2019 with a view to coaxing El Mala from the Bundesliga to the Premier League at the end of the season.<\/p>\n

The report adds that more potential suitors are likely to make themselves known over the coming weeks and months, with the summer transfer window coming into view on the horizon.<\/p>\n

Both El Mala and his brother Malek are contracted to Koln until June 2030. Neither player has a release clause in their respective deal at RheinEnergieSTADION.<\/p>\n

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In a recent interview with Express.de, Koln\u2019s managing director of sport, Thomas Kessler, said it was no surprise that El Mala had begun to attract big names with the \u2018quality\u2019 he had been showcasing.<\/p>\n

\u2018As a rule, I do not comment on speculation like that in detail,\u2019 Kessler said when pressed on rumours that Koln had rejected an offer of between \u20ac25-30million (\u00a321.6-25.6m) for the attacker.<\/p>\n

\u2018What matters to us is that Said has made very positive progress in a short time and has contributed significantly to our season so far with his performances.<\/p>\n

\u2018He brings quality to the pitch week after week and has earned this attention through hard work.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Brighton have been eyeing the teenager since last summer (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kessler said the club would be providing \u2018close support\u2019 to ensure El Mala\u2019s feet remain firmly on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u2018It is important for us to closely support him,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

\u2018We must provide him with stability and take the next steps together so that he continues to help us in the second half of the season.\u2019<\/p>\n

He went on: \u2018We deliberately tied Said to the club on a long-term basis before the season because we are convinced of his development and have a clear plan for him. <\/p>\n

\u2018At the same time, it is part of our business to deal with market-related matters. We do this seriously and with the necessary calm.<\/p>\n

\u2018For us, the focus is on Said being an important part of our sporting concept and we expect that he will continue his path with Koln.\u2019<\/p>\n

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