Said El Mala is reportedly set to spend another season at Bundesliga club Cologne despite alleged big interest from English clubs in the talented teenager.
The Bild paper said on Monday that EL Mala has shelved his departure plans.
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The forward had his breakthrough in the past season and generated big interest from English clubs, with Brentford reportedly willing to meet the €50 million ($57 million) Cologne wanted for him.
Bild said that El Mala’s mother, who is also his adviser, eventually decided against leaving. El Mala, who did not make it into Germany’s World Cup squad, has a Cologne contract until 2030 without a release clause.
The report said El Mala did not ask for a possible move to the Premier League again and he is now expected to be present when Cologne start pre-season training next week.
While El Mala appears set to stay, Jakub Kaminski is said to be on his way out. Kaminski spent the last season on loan at Cologne from Wolfsburg and Lisbon club Benfica are now reportedly frontrunners to sign the Poland winger.
