{"id":5079,"date":"2026-05-06T21:51:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T21:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5079"},"modified":"2026-05-06T21:51:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T21:51:33","slug":"chelsea-face-transfer-problem-after-offering-dream-come-true-to-43m-star-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5079","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea face transfer problem after offering ‘dream come true’ to \u00a343m star | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\"Chelsea\t<\/div>
Chelsea have been in talks with young Koln forward Said El Mala (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chelsea may be forced to abandon their pursuit of Koln star Said El Mala if they miss out on Champions League qualification, according to reports in Germany.<\/p>\n

El Mala is enjoying an eye-catching breakout season in the Bundesliga, racking up 12 goals and four assists in a struggling Koln team to establish himself as one of the finest young talents in German football.<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old winger has made a seamless transition into life in the German top flight having plied his trade in the third tier with Viktoria Koln only last season.<\/p>\n

So meteoric has El Mala\u2019s rise been that he earned his first ever senior international call-up for Germany\u2019s final\u00a0World Cup\u00a0qualifying matches against\u00a0Luxembourg\u00a0and Slovakia last autumn.<\/p>\n

There is mounting uncertainty and speculation surrounding El Mala\u2019s future at Koln, though, with top clubs across Europe monitoring the attacker\u2019s progress from afar.<\/p>\n

Brighton have long been seen as the frontrunners to strike a deal for El Mala, with their interest in the highly rated 19-year-old stretching back to last summer.<\/p>\n

The subject of El Mala\u2019s future came to the fore again recently after he \u2013 and his brother Malek \u2013 brought their collaboration with their previous representatives to an end.<\/p>\n

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El Mala has scored 12 goals in an impressive debut season in the Bundesliga (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"St.\t<\/div>
Koln have slapped a \u00a343m asking price on the teenager (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The youngster is now being represented by his parents Sabrina and Mohammed, a move that did not go unnoticed in the transfer market \u2013 giving potential suitors encouragement ahead of the summer window.<\/p>\n

However, local reports in Koln last week suggested Brighton had withdrawn a proposed \u20ac35\u200b\u200bmillion (\u00a330m) bid for El Mala, with the Bundesliga outfit holding out for a fee of \u20ac50m (\u00a343m).<\/p>\n

According to Sport Bild, an \u2018alarmed\u2019 Sabrina El Mala responded by calling Brighton after Koln\u2019s defeat to Bayer Leverkusen to determine whether there was any truth to the rumours.<\/p>\n

While Brighton were quick to reassure El Mala\u2019s inner circle that their interest remained strong, transfer negotiations with Koln have been put on hold for the time being due to the player\u2019s hefty asking price.<\/p>\n

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The Bundesliga club are yet to receive offers from any other teams for their prized possession, but Fulham and Brentford are believed to be closely monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n

El Mala\u2019s camp, spearheaded by the youngster\u2019s mother Sabrina, are said to have \u2018gambled on Chelsea\u2019, who have indicated during talks that they could envision outbidding Brighton, before sending the forward back to Koln on loan for a season \u2013 which would be a \u2018dream come true\u2019 for the family.<\/p>\n

Crucially, though, the report claims managerless Chelsea are \u2018unlikely\u2019 to have the financial means to be able to follow through on their proposal, with the club facing a near-impossible task in qualifying for the Champions League.<\/p>\n

The report claims Chelsea \u2013 who are languishing down in ninth in the Premier League \u2013 will, therefore, be looking to avoid making any expensive summer signings that will not provide an \u2018immediate financial boost\u2019.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"1.\t<\/div>
El Mala\u2019s mother Sabrina (right) has been at the heart of talks with Chelsea and Brighton (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a recent interview with\u00a0Express.de, Koln\u2019s managing director of sport, Thomas Kessler, said it was no surprise that the younger El Mala had begun to attract big names with his \u2018quality\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018As a rule, I do not comment on speculation like that in detail,\u2019 Kessler said when pressed on recent rumours surrounding El Mala.<\/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

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\n\t\t\"1.\t<\/div>
The youngster has four years remaining on his current deal with Koln (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Kessler said the club would be providing \u2018close support\u2019 to ensure El Mala\u2019s feet remain firmly on the ground while the teen was still in the infancy of his career.<\/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

El Mala\u2019s current contract with Koln runs through to June 2030.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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