Tottenham Hotspur are looking to leapfrog two of their Premier League rivals for Cologne star Said El Mala, and they are ready to make a unique offer to get ahead of the competition.
El Mala has been mooted as a target for Spurs since the January window, and the speculation has now intensified over the last couple of days.
Earlier this week, Sport Bild reported that Tottenham could soon make an offer for Said El Mala, who scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 34 Bundesliga matches last season.
The report explained that Roberto De Zerbi had approved the signing of the 19-year-old and believes the winger could be a key component of the Spurs rebuild this summer.
Tottenham positive about beating two Premier League clubs to Said El Mala
TEAMtalk have now confirmed that the Lilywhites made regular checks on the German U21 international throughout last season and have contacted his representatives over the past week.
While Spurs have only recently opened talks, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest had already been in talks over a deal for El Mala.
However, Tottenham are hopeful that they can beat both the Magpies and the Tricky Trees to the Cologne winger, who is rated at around €40m (£34.5m).
There is positivity at the North London club that a deal for El Mala can be struck in ‘the coming weeks’.
Spurs willing to do unique double deal for El Mala
Tottenham face one complication in the pursuit of the German teenager, which is that his parents, who represent the winger, have made a specific demand.
They are keen for any interested party to also consider signing his older brother, Malek El Mala, his teammate at Cologne. The 21-year-old striker is still waiting for his senior debut for the German club.
These elements add difficulties to the deal, and most interested clubs are not willing to sign the older brother along with Said.
However, Tottenham are willing to compromise and agree a unique double deal for the two El Mala brothers, and there is ‘optimism’ at N17 that a deal can be struck.
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