Borussia Dortmund has officially ceased its pursuit of highly sought-after talent Said El Mala, following FC Cologne’s rejection of a substantial transfer bid exceeding €50 million. The Bundesliga powerhouse confirmed it will not present an improved offer for the promising young player, as negotiations between the two German clubs ultimately broke down.
Dortmund ends El Mala pursuit
Borussia Dortmund has dramatically withdrawn from the race to sign Cologne’s highly promising prospect, Said El Mala. This decision comes after the Bundesliga club reportedly had a significant transfer offer, valued at over €50 million, turned down by their domestic rivals. Dortmund executives Lars Ricken and Ole Book presented their final proposal to Cologne’s sporting director, Thomas Kessler, in recent days. However, the clubs failed to reach a comprehensive agreement, leading Dortmund to completely abandon negotiations. This significant turn of events 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 complete transfer failure
Dortmund’s managing director for sport, Lars Ricken, has publicly confirmed that the club will no longer pursue the talented youngster. He provided a definitive statement regarding the aborted transfer. Ricken affirmed, “Said El Mala is not a Borussia Dortmund player and will not become one this summer. We engaged in open discussions with 1. FC Köln management in recent days, but they rejected our final offer. Borussia Dortmund will not submit another bid and will not continue to pursue the player’s transfer.”
Bonus structure proved highly problematic
While the overall financial package presented was undeniably lucrative, the specific structure of the proposed deal ultimately led to the collapse of negotiations. Reports indicate that Dortmund’s initial transfer fee was approximately €46 million. With the inclusion of various performance-related bonuses, the total package could have potentially surpassed Cologne’s €50 million valuation, reaching an estimated €52 million to €53 million. However, Cologne expressed complete dissatisfaction with the stringent conditions attached to these potential add-ons. The proposed bonuses were reportedly structured over an extended period and heavily contingent upon the player achieving a high number of first-team appearances, leaving Cologne without any tangible financial guarantees.
El Mala expected to remain at Cologne
Following Dortmund’s definitive withdrawal from negotiations, Said El Mala is set to continue his immediate development at Cologne. The highly promising young talent will now fully concentrate on the upcoming season alongside his current teammates. Cologne’s steadfastness in the transfer market clearly demonstrates their resolve to dictate the terms of any significant player departure. The club successfully maintained its stance regarding the precise payment structure for its €50 million valuation. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s scouting department must now pivot towards alternative targets, as the club’s management will explore other options if they aim to strengthen their squad before the official closure of the summer transfer window.
