The high-stakes transfer saga surrounding Said El Mala has taken a sharp turn as 1. FC Köln reportedly rejected a fresh formal bid from Borussia Dortmund for the 19-year-old, according to club sources cited by Express.
BVB Submits New Package as Transfer Deadline Nears
The protracted negotiations between 1. FC Köln and Borussia Dortmund intensified further following an official offer delivered late Wednesday evening, as first reported by Sky. Club sources confirmed to Express that the club in Cologne promptly turned down the revised proposal. Borussia Dortmund has pursued the young talent for weeks, continuing a pursuit that has tested the resolve of the Cologne front office.
According to figures detailed by Sky, the new Dortmund package matched terms that had surfaced earlier in the week: a fixed fee of 48 million euros, supplemented by two million euros in easily attainable performance bonuses, alongside an additional five million euros structured across future installments. Despite the substantial sum, Kessler and the 1. FC Köln leadership remain unsatisfied with the financial layout.
Kessler Holds Firm on Valuation as Demands Rise
Cologne’s valuation parameters have remained a central friction point in the talks. While early speculation pegged the club’s initial threshold around 50 million euros, sources close to the situation suggest that as the transfer window draws closer to its close, that figure may no longer suffice to pry the teenager away.
Kessler addressed the persistent speculation surrounding price tags publicly during the team’s preparations, speaking on the sidelines of a test match against Real Sociedad San Sebastián. “The price tag is a topic that was never communicated publicly by me,” Kessler told reporters. “I never said there is a price tag. There is a range in which we as 1. FC Köln say we are talking. Whether it then leads to an agreement, let’s leave that open.”
Locker Room Interest and Succession Planning
The pursuit has also attracted commentary from within the Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel recently acknowledged the player’s profile in remarks reported by Ligaportal, noting that the youngster possesses “qualities that I like to have in the team.” Such public nods highlight the interest at Dortmund.
Meanwhile, planning behind the scenes in Cologne indicates the club is already preparing for eventual contingencies. Transfermarkt reported that discussions are underway with Polish side Zaglebie Lubin regarding Regula, who is intended to succeed El Mala in Cologne.
What Comes Next in the El Mala Transfer Saga
With 1. FC Köln showing no inclination to compromise below their internal valuation, the ball remains in Dortmund’s court to decide whether to return with an improved formula before the transfer window slams shut. Observers will monitor subsequent training sessions and official club updates as the deadline approaches.
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