Brighton confident of beating Newcastle United to signing of 19-year-old Bundesliga star this summer
Reports in Germany have linked Newcastle United with an interest in 19-year-old German winger Said El Mala.
One of Ross Wilson's big remits since taking over as sporting director on Tyneside is to reduce the average age of the squad, but lately a lot of names linked with Newcastle have been players in their late 20s.
That suggests that either the rumours have little truth to them, there has been a change in policy at Newcastle, or they plan to bring in more younger players to bring the average down.
Newcastle have plenty of players above the age of 30, and 700-year-old John Ruddy is propping up the average all on his own. However, we still expect Wilson to be looking at younger talent that could be first-team ready.
Newcastle are keen on FC Koln winger Said El Mala
German outlet Kicker believes that FC Koln's Said El Mala is one such player that Newcastle have their eye on.
The 19-year-old winger has managed 12 goal contributions from 25 Bundesliga games this season, and Premier League sides are starting to take note.
Primarily a left winger, El Mala can play on the right or through the middle if needed, which is the kind of versatility Eddie Howe loves.
Brighton are confident they can get a deal done for Said El Mala
Kicker claims Newcastle and Chelsea are keen on El Mala, but now Football Insider are claiming that it's Brighton and Hove Albion who are confident that they can bring the teenager to England.
However, that story comes from former scout Mick Brown who has been out of the game so long the last player he recommended to any club was probably Bobby Charlton to Preston North End.
There's no indication of what Said El Mala may cost in the summer, but the draw of the Premier League will make it hard for FC Koln to resist if Chelsea or Newcastle comes knocking.
