Dortmund ends pursuit of El Mala
Borussia Dortmund has dramatically withdrawn from the race to secure the signature of FC Cologne’s highly promising prospect, Said El Mala. This decision comes after the Bundesliga club saw a massive transfer offer, valued at over €50 million, turned down by their domestic rivals.
The final proposal was reportedly put forward in recent days to Cologne’s sporting director, Thomas Kessler, by Dortmund’s executives Lars Ricken and Ole Book. However, the two clubs could not reach a comprehensive agreement, leading Dortmund to completely exit the negotiation table. This significant development brings an end to one of the summer’s most prominent transfer sagas, with the player now expected to remain with his current club for the upcoming season.
Ricken confirms total transfer failure
Dortmund’s CEO for Sport, Lars Ricken, has publicly affirmed that the club will no longer pursue the talented young player. He definitively clarified the situation surrounding the aborted transfer.
“Said El Mala is not a Borussia Dortmund player and will not become one this summer,” Ricken stated, confirming the club’s position. “We engaged in open discussions with 1. FC Köln officials in recent days, but they rejected our final offer. Borussia Dortmund will not submit another bid and will not continue its pursuit of the player’s transfer.”
Bonus structure proved highly problematic
While the overall financial package presented by Borussia Dortmund was indeed substantial, the underlying structure of the proposed deal ultimately led to the collapse of negotiations. Reports indicate that Dortmund’s base transfer fee offer for Said El Mala was approximately €46 million.
With the inclusion of various performance-related add-ons and bonuses, the total value of the package would have slightly exceeded FC Cologne’s €50 million valuation, potentially reaching an estimated €52 to €53 million. Nevertheless, Cologne remained fundamentally dissatisfied with the stringent conditions linked to these prospective bonuses.
The proposed bonus clauses were reportedly spread over an unusually extended period. Furthermore, their activation was heavily contingent on the player achieving a high number of first-team appearances, which meant FC Cologne lacked any genuine financial guarantees from the arrangement.
El Mala expected to remain at Cologne
Following Borussia Dortmund’s definitive withdrawal from discussions, Said El Mala will now continue his immediate development at FC Cologne. The highly promising young talent is set to fully concentrate on the upcoming Bundesliga season alongside his current teammates.
Cologne’s steadfast stance in the transfer market underscores its clear resolve to dictate the terms for any significant player departure. The club successfully maintained its position regarding the precise payment structure for its €50 million valuation. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s scouting department must now pivot towards alternative targets. The club’s management will explore other options should they aim to bolster their squad before the official closure of the summer transfer window.
