Tottenham and Manchester United contact for €30-40m transfer – Price could go higher

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are the latest clubs to join the battle for 1. FC Köln’s Said El Mala.

That’s according to this week’s edition of SportBild, who report Tottenham and Manchester United have both made approaches.

Last summer, Brighton & Hove Albion offered €20m and it was turned down. Last week it was reported Seagulls owner Tony Bloom got involved personally and that interest remains.

The winger has managed to attract interest from multiple European clubs in recent months.

On Monday, Bild reported Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are in the picture to sign the 19-year-old. It was also stated Köln are expected to wait until next summer to sell him for €50-60m or more.

The same report explained unnamed English clubs have expressed interest to sign El Mala for €30-40m. These two clubs could be Tottenham and Manchester United.

Said El Mala hype being pushed

Despite attracting interest from several clubs, SportBild now report Köln ‘received the first concrete inquiries from’ from Spurs and the Red Devils.

It’s claimed the Premier League duo have asked the German club of their willingness to negotiate for the player. The two English clubs have also indicated they are willing to offer around €30-40m.

SportBild states: ‘It’s also clear that if they’re offering FC Köln such sums so early on, they know the final transfer fee will be even higher.’ It’s likely to be above €50m if yesterday’s report is to be believed.

El Mala has already ruled out a winter move but could change clubs next summer. The report states his future is likely to be in the Premier League despite interest from the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich.

The winger has six goals and three assists from 14 league matches this season.

It feels like the German media are creating hype around El Mala to drive up his price.