Sources following 1FC Koln say the Seagulls want Said El Mala, a 19-year-old left-winger who can also play in central attacking areas and has been shining in the first half of the season.
It is believed Albion made an unsuccessful bid for EL Mala ahead of the winter transfer deadline.
Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper and website have been told they offered about £20 million in a deal which would also include El Mala’s brother Malek, who plays in midfield for Koln.
Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Both would have been loaned back for the rest of the season.
Sky Sports reported somewhat cryptically on the possibility of Albion working on a deal with a view to next season as they updated from the Lancing training complex on deadline day.
But no such business was ever announced.
El Mala has seven goals and two assists so far this season.
He has been target of a lot of interest and headlines and his boss Lukas Kwasniok has looked to take that pressure off after leaving him on the bench in recent games.
Kwasniok said: “People assume that since he’s now become so successful, it will continue in the same vein.
“We constantly try to communicate and handle things carefully so that the player doesn’t lose the joy he loves doing most.
“It certainly doesn’t help when the hype becomes so immense.”
Koln, who play Brajan Gruda’s RB Leipzig on Sunday, are currently in mid-table but only five points clear of relegation danger.