​After tallying 13 goals and supplying five assists in his debut Bundesliga campaign, Said El Mala of Cologne, just 19 years old, has become a hot commodity. Interest from Brighton and Brentford has already been rebuffed, and now Liverpool has joined the chase for the German forward, who has also drawn attention from Borussia Dortmund.
According to regional outlet Express, a major obstacle in a potential move to Dortmund is the transfer fee. Cologne are reportedly demanding a minimum of €50 million, a figure well above Dortmund’s previous record outlay of €35 million for Ousmane Dembélé from Rennes in 2016. Express also notes that El Mala may have already reached a verbal agreement with Dortmund, with a transfer possibly occurring either after the World Cup or next summer.
El Mala’s half-brother, Malek, could also be in line to move to Dortmund, either to train with the first team or to play for Dortmund II in the Regionalliga West. With Barcelona reportedly making an approach for Karim Adeyemi, Dortmund’s interest in El Mala is likely to intensify further.
In light of the growing interest, Cologne’s asking price remains a critical factor in any potential deal. If Dortmund proceeds, the transfer timeline could hinge on performances in the World Cup and the clubs’ ongoing negotiations over the fee. The dynamic surrounding El Mala’s future continues to evolve as Dortmund competes with other interested parties and the market adjusts to his rising stock.