“Simply cannot be separated” – Transfer pieces falling into place for Brighton

Brighton and Hove Albion’s hopes of signing Said El-Mala may have been handed a boost, with the player admitting he doesn’t want to be separated from his brother Malek.

90Min.de cover comments from the 19-year-old winger today from an interview in GeissbockEcho, Köln’s stadium magazine.

El Mala has experienced a meteoric rise this season, after arriving as a relative unknown before the season joining FC Köln from 3. Liga side Viktoria Köln.

He needed no time to settle in, becoming their most important player and the great hope in their battle against relegation.

The Brighton transfer target joined the German club alongside his brother Malek, who he has played with throughout his career to date. That’s something he wants to continue.

“We talk every day, we live together, and we share the same friends. We have a particularly strong bond, like two pieces glued together that simply cannot be separated,” he said.

Good news for Brighton transfer

Those words should come as good news for Brighton. The Seagulls have been chasing El Mala since last summer and are keen to get him this time.

Talks are taking place behind the scenes, with Brighton keen for them to happen during the recent international break.

And, crucially, a report last month stated they were happy to sign both El Mala brothers. According to that report, Brighton were the only suitors happy to sign both.

That will go down well with his family. They recently took charge of Said El Mala’s representation, replacing his previous agent.

A potential break this summer

Said El Mala is now naïve about the situation, though. He accepts that they could part ways this summer, but there’s clearly no outward desire to do so.

“We are aware that this moment might eventually come. But as long as things stand as they do, we are enjoying it,” he concluded.

The opportunity, then, is Brighton’s.

If they’re happy to sign Malek too, that gives them a distinct advantage, particularly with Said now represented by his family.

It’s an advantage they should drive home, particularly with big clubs also circling the 19-year-old winger.