It’s understood that Brentford made a club-record €45 million plus €5 million in add-ons to sign the youngster this summer.
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El Mala, 19, turned down the chance to join the Bees, however, after the Premier League side refused to also sign his brother Malek.
According to Kicker, it’s now looking likely that El Mala will remain with FC Koln beyond the summer transfer window.
The club are still open to the possibility of selling should a lucrative offer come in but the winger is no longer pushing for a move.