Liverpool’s main competitor for a €50 million deal has exited the race by retracting their bid.
According to KSTA, Brighton has pulled their offer for FC Köln’s Said El Mala. Köln is now optimistic about retaining their rising star and aims to secure at least €50 million for him.
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Brighton’s previous proposal was around €35 million, which included a significantly higher salary for El Mala. Köln has since met with the player to clarify their position.
This news is particularly noteworthy for Liverpool. The Reds have expressed interest in El Mala as well, but Brighton initially seemed to have the advantage due to the playing time they could offer him.
However, Brighton is not prepared to meet the hefty asking price. This now puts Liverpool in a favorable position, as they are not only capable of affording the fee but also have an urgent need for a new winger following Mo Salah‘s likely departure.
While El Mala typically plays on the opposite flank and may not directly replace Salah, his style could provide the squad with much-needed width. The 19-year-old has already scored 11 goals and contributed four assists in the Bundesliga this season.
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This solid performance has allowed Köln to confidently demand a record price for their talented young player, increasing the likelihood that he will join Liverpool.
Said El Mala: Situation Overview
Bundesliga Performance and Stats
As of April 27, 2026, Saïd El Mala is having a remarkable breakout season at 1. FC Köln. The 19-year-old attacker has netted 11 goals and provided 3 assists in 31 Bundesliga matches, accumulating 1,802 minutes on the pitch. He is currently the team’s leading scorer and boasts an average FotMob rating of 6.87. In his latest match against Bayer Leverkusen on April 25, he contributed an assist and took 10 shots, further solidifying his reputation as one of Germany’s most promising young talents.
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Transfer Saga and Brighton Withdrawal
El Mala’s future is currently at the center of a high-stakes transfer saga. Recent reports on April 27 indicate that a proposed transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion has collapsed as the Premier League side declined to meet Köln’s €50 million valuation, with their final offer of €35 million being rejected. Other clubs such as Chelsea and Newcastle United have now emerged as strong contenders for his signature. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, which was previously interested, appears to have shifted their focus to Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.
The young forward is a regular in the Germany U21 squad and recently scored in a 2–0 victory over Greece. Given his impressive domestic performance, he is expected to receive a senior team call-up ahead of the 2026 World Cup this June.