The 19-year-old attacking talent played his part in Cologne’s 3-1 win over Werder Bremen on Sunday, but attention quickly turned to his future after the match.
El Mala, who remains under contract until 2030, stopped short of ruling out a summer departure when asked about ongoing rumours.
“I feel comfortable. I can't say what's happening. But I still have five games to go. And I'll give it my all,” he told DAZN.
“We have confidential discussions with Thomas Kessler and are open and honest with each other. We still have a few games to play here that are extremely important for the club. When the time comes, something will be found.”
His comments come amid persistent reports that Brighton are pushing to secure his signature, with talk in recent weeks suggesting a deal is already close to being finalised.
While no official agreement has been confirmed, the Premier League side are believed to have been tracking the winger for months as part of their ongoing recruitment strategy focused on emerging talent.
Cologne, for their part, are under no pressure to sell given the length of El Mala’s contract and the absence of a release clause.
However, the club are understood to be open to negotiations if a significant offer arrives, particularly as they look to generate a substantial profit on a player signed just last year.
El Mala joined from local rivals Viktoria Köln in 2024 for a fee of €2.23 million and has since developed into one of the club’s most exciting attacking prospects.
With the season entering a decisive phase, both player and club appear focused on immediate objectives before making any final decisions on the future.
For now, El Mala’s stance remains deliberately open, leaving the door ajar for a potential high-profile move while keeping his focus firmly on helping Cologne finish the campaign strongly.