United’s winger hunt takes major leap forward as explosive target moves to force summer exit – report

It has become the worst‑kept secret in football that, beyond strengthening midfield, Manchester United will also be in the market for a left‑winger this summer.

In assembling Ruben Amorim’s dream team, the club made a glaring blunder. By allowing Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho to leave, United effectively let go of all of their natural left‑wing options. The result was a squad imbalance they cannot afford to ignore.

Recruiting a quality left‑winger has therefore become a necessity. Among those linked is FC Köln’s Said El Mala, one of the Bundesliga’s brightest prospects.

El Mala: The Target

At just 19, El Mala has already built a reputation as an explosive, direct winger. A winger whose elite dribbling speed and one‑on‑one physicality are precisely the attributes United are craving.

Interestingly, INEOS showed no intent to move for him in January, perhaps because changes to United’s technical bench disrupted the midseason transfer plans.

Brighton’s Bid

It was Brighton & Hove Albion who tested Köln’s resolve in the winter window, tabling a £26 million offer.

The bid was rejected, leaving El Mala at the RheinEnergieSTADION, but only for now. Reports suggest his stay may not extend beyond the summer.

A frustrated El Mala

According to Football Transfers, citing Bild, El Mala has grown increasingly frustrated with his situation in Cologne.

“El Mala’s relationship with head coach Lukas Kwasniok has turned frosty. The 44‑year‑old has been very protective of the teenager, but the player now feels that the coach’s behaviour has become overbearing.”

While Kwasniok insists the youngster still has much to refine before being trusted with greater responsibility, El Mala believes otherwise. He feels ready to shine and resents being held back.

And his situation is well understood: despite being dubbed Köln’s most talented and reliable attacker, he has started only 9 Bundesliga matches. His return of seven goals and two assists underlines his influence, yet he feels undervalued, and that is why:

“El Mala, it is claimed, informed Köln’s hierarchy of this state of affairs during the January window and concluded that he would be looking to leave the club in the summer if the situation does not improve,” as the report further adds.

United on red alert

Such developments will undoubtedly place INEOS on red alert.

United have thoroughly scouted El Mala and rank him highly on their left‑wing shortlist.

It is unlikely they will pass up the chance to snap up one of Germany’s most exciting talents.
As a result, Brighton must brace themselves for a summer transfer battle.

With a move for Yan Diomande proving complicated, El Mala could emerge as the perfect alternative for the 20-time English champions.

Feature image Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images

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