Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing for a head-to-head battle to sign FC Koln's highly-rated teenage forward Said El Mala, with both Premier League giants said to be willing to pay up to £35 million for his signature.
Premier League Giants Circle Bundesliga Prodigy
As the January transfer window approaches, the race for one of Germany's brightest talents is heating up. According to reports from German outlet SportBild, both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have made approaches to Bundesliga side FC Koln regarding the potential signing of 19-year-old Said El Mala.
The Germany Under-21 international has emerged as a top target after an impressive start to the season, where he has scored six goals and provided three assists in just 14 appearances. Primarily operating on the left wing, his versatility across the forward line has attracted significant attention from Europe's elite.
Brighton's Failed Summer Bid and Soaring Valuation
El Mala is no stranger to Premier League interest. Last summer, Brighton & Hove Albion expressed concrete interest in the player and are understood to have had a bid worth around €10 million (£8.8m) rejected by the German club.
In a revealing anecdote, Koln supervisory board member Lionel Souque recently disclosed that Brighton's owner, Tony Bloom, personally contacted him to try and broker a deal after initial talks with the club's management stalled. "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,'" Souque recounted on the OMR podcast.
Since that rejected bid, El Mala's valuation has skyrocketed. Recent speculation suggests Koln would now demand a fee in the region of €60 million (£52.7m) for a summer sale. However, it is believed that both United and Spurs are currently willing to offer up to €40 million (£35m) to secure his services in the upcoming January window.
A Crowded Field of European Suitors
The competition for El Mala's signature extends far beyond North London and Manchester. The young star's performances have put him on the radar of several European powerhouses.
In recent weeks, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich have all been credited with an interest in the teenager. This creates a complex landscape for any club hoping to secure a deal, with Koln understandably keen to retain one of their most prized assets.
Whether a concrete offer materialises in January remains to be seen. FC Koln's sporting director, Thomas Kessler, holds the key to any negotiation, and the club's stance appears to be one of wanting to build around their exceptional young talent. For Manchester United and Tottenham, the challenge will be to convince both the player and his club that a move to the Premier League is the right next step in his rapidly developing career.
