Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sport Germany reported that Brentford submitted a revised bid worth approximately €50m — comprising €45m up front plus €5m in bonus payments — which Cologne were prepared to accept. The collapse came from the player's side: El Mala had never been convinced by the Brentford project and declined to agree personal terms.
El Mala spent the 2025-26 Bundesliga season as one of the division's most talked-about young attackers, scoring 13 goals and contributing four assists in 34 league appearances — 20 from the start.
He came through Cologne's academy and was signed from third-division FC Viktoria Köln for just €350,000 last summer, making his market trajectory one of the most remarkable in German football.
Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Brighton and Newcastle United have all been linked, with Brentford moving most decisively until El Mala's rejection ended their bid. The player is contracted at Cologne until 2030, meaning there is no urgency to sell.
Cologne had indicated they would use the proceeds of his sale to invest in three key positions — a new defensive leader, a creative midfielder and a striker. Those plans are now on hold while El Mala's preferred destination becomes clearer.