Said El Mala reportedly causes bewilderment at 1. FC Köln

1. FC Köln's hierarchy has been left irritated after 19-year-old Said El Mala reportedly turned down a move to Brentford last week. The proposed deal would have handed Cologne €50 million—€45m plus €5m in easily achievable bonuses—and a 15% cut of any future transfer, with sporting director Thomas Kessler said to have accepted the terms.

Brentford were prepared to offer El Mala a contract until 2030 worth €4 million per year. The player's camp, led by negotiator and mother Sabrina El Mala, is reported to have scuppered the transfer before a Friday deadline. Sky suggests El Mala may be holding out for a bigger club and that his future is once again "completely open", with a move to Bundesliga rivals BVB mentioned as a possibility.

Cologne say the decision has disrupted their planning for the coming season, leaving the club "hit hard" and facing a moderate summer overhaul with several first-team departures expected.

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