Brighton and Hove Albion have reportedly moved ahead in the race to sign highly-rated German left winger Said El Mala from Bundesliga outfit FC Koln, despite growing interest from Manchester United, according to recent reports from Sports Mole.
El Mala has been attracting attention with his performances in Germany, and several clubs are keeping a close eye on his development.
However, Brighton are believed to be in the strongest position at the moment as they push to secure the talented forward.
Manchester United have also been monitoring El Mala for some time and remain interested in the teenager.
The Premier League giants are known to be tracking young attacking talents across Europe, and the Cologne winger has emerged as one of the players on their radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
El Mala has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Koln, scoring nine goals and registering three assists in just 12 Bundesliga starts.
Those numbers have highlighted his attacking quality and helped establish him as one of the most exciting young prospects currently playing in Germany.
The forward primarily operates on the left side of attack, where his pace and direct style make him a constant threat.
His speed is also another big asset of his game, with the youngster recorded among the fastest players in the Bundesliga this season.
Despite Man United’s interest and financial power, Brighton’s strong reputation for developing young players could play a key role in the race.
The Seagulls have built a track record of identifying promising talents early and giving them the platform to grow in the Premier League.
For now, Brighton appears to hold the advantage, but with the summer transfer window approaching, the situation surrounding El Mala could still develop as more clubs weigh up a potential move for the Koln youngster.
