Borussia Dortmund’s attempt to sign Said El Mala from 1. FC Köln has reportedly been rebuffed, with the Bundesliga club unimpressed by the proposed transfer package. According to Geissblog, Köln officials reacted negatively to Dortmund’s offer, which consisted of a €35 million fee plus two players on loan.
This development comes after Express reported earlier this week that Dortmund were formulating a creative bid for the 19-year-old forward. However, Köln are understood to be seeking a straightforward cash offer for El Mala, dismissing the loan component of Dortmund’s proposal as unsuitable.
El Mala was previously close to a move to Brentford FC, with Köln accepting a €50 million bid from the Premier League side. The transfer ultimately collapsed when the player himself decided against a move to London, preferring to remain in the Bundesliga. This previous offer establishes a clear valuation benchmark for Köln as negotiations continue.
Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with a potential move for El Mala, further indicating the level of interest in the young forward. Köln are reportedly hoping to attract an offer in the region of the €50 million received from Brentford, reflecting El Mala’s perceived value and potential.
El Mala has quickly become a key player for Köln since breaking into the first team, demonstrating a promising skillset and attracting attention from several top clubs. His decision to reject a move to the Premier League highlights his ambition to continue developing within the German top flight. Dortmund’s rejection leaves them needing to reassess their strategy if they remain interested in acquiring the player, while Köln will likely continue to hold out for their desired fee.
