Borussia Dortmund have seen an initial offer for 1. FC Köln forward Said El Mala rejected, according to Sky Sports. The Black and Yellows submitted a bid of €26 million, supplemented by a potential €16 million in performance-based bonuses, but Köln’s leadership deemed the offer insufficient.
Köln’s boss, Thomas Kessler, was reportedly irritated by the structure of the bid, with Sky Sports detailing that while €8 million of the bonus package was considered realistically achievable, the remaining €8 million was viewed as highly improbable. As a result, the club has reportedly indicated they will not engage in further negotiations unless a club meets their €50 million valuation for the 19-year-old.
El Mala enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Bundesliga with Köln, scoring 13 goals in his debut campaign. His impressive form had already attracted interest from the Premier League, with a move to Brentford reportedly close earlier in the transfer window. However, the player and his representatives ultimately decided against a switch to the London club.
The rejection of Dortmund’s offer suggests Köln are determined to retain their key asset, or at least extract a significantly higher fee. Dortmund are likely seeking to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season, and El Mala’s goalscoring record makes him an appealing target. Should Dortmund return with an improved offer, a transfer could still materialise, but Köln appear resolute in their valuation. This could force Dortmund to explore alternative attacking targets if they are unwilling to meet Köln’s demands.
El Mala’s rapid ascent in German football has marked him as one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young talents. His decision to decline a move to Brentford suggests a preference to remain in Germany, potentially opening the door for other Bundesliga clubs to enter the fray. The situation will be closely monitored as the transfer window progresses, with El Mala’s future remaining uncertain.
