Chelsea have emerged as the frontrunners to sign FC Cologne teenage winger Said El Mala this summer, with Bayern Munich having effectively withdrawn from the race, according to journalist Christian Falk.

Cologne are demanding €50m for the 19-year-old, with Brighton having already seen a €35m bid rejected. Falk confirmed Chelsea’s interest but cautioned that a deal is far from done: “They are interested in the player, but if they’ll pay so much for a German talent remains to be seen.”

Bayern, previously linked, have shifted focus toward Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, who fits their need for a versatile forward more closely than El Mala.

Cologne are simultaneously working on a Plan B, negotiating a new sponsorship deal with a supermarket chain that could fund the salary increase El Mala desires — currently earning €1.5m, with Brighton having offered €4m — should no transfer materialize.

The left-footed attacker has been one of the Bundesliga’s brightest young talents this season, registering 12 goals and five assists for Cologne.

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