Köln Staff Laud El Mala Amid Dortmund Links, €50M Valuation Holds Firm

Said El MalaPlayer·Said El Mala, the highly-touted 19-year-old winger for 1. FC Köln, remains at the center of a significant transfer saga, with Borussia DortmundTeam·Borussia Dortmund reportedly keen on securing his services. Despite the ongoing speculation, El Mala has garnered widespread admiration from within his current club, with Köln's sporting director, head coach, and captain all commending his conduct.

Sporting Director Thomas Kessler expressed his profound appreciation for El Mala's demeanor, particularly given the external pressures. "How the boy behaves, how he trains and plays is so fantastic," Kessler stated in an interview with BILD. "It's so fun to work with him. He laughs all day and feels comfortable here. I don't know if everyone would deal with a situation like that." Kessler also confirmed that Köln has rejected previous offers for the player, maintaining a firm €50 million asking price.

Head coach René Wagner echoed Kessler's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of focusing on controllable aspects. "We must not worry about things that we cannot influence," Wagner remarked, reflecting on El Mala's contributions in training sessions and pre-season matches. Wagner highlighted the player's professional approach, noting that El Mala "is here, is a player of 1. FC Köln and gives his all every day." The coach has reportedly built Köln's attacking strategy around El Mala's unpredictable style, contributing to a noticeable improvement in the team's offensive patterns.

Captain Marvin Schwäbe also weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the inherent challenges for a young player navigating such intense transfer talks. "You don't do him any favors with transfer talks every day," Schwäbe observed. "That does not make it any easier for him as a 19-year-old boy. We didn't feel like he said goodbye at the end of the season. But we all know how fast it can go in our sport. It's nice that he's here and of course we hope he stays with his quality."

El Mala enjoyed a breakout campaign during the 2025/26 BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga season, registering 13 goals and 5 assists across 34 appearances. His impressive form also led to a call-up to the Germany national squad for World Cup QualifiersCompetition·World Cup Qualifiers in November 2025. Köln, who were promoted back to the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga for the 2025/26 season, finished in 14th place with 32 points. El Mala remains under contract with 1. FC Köln until June 30, 2030, following a contract extension signed on July 19, 2025.

Borussia DortmundTeam·Borussia Dortmund's initial bid for El Mala was reportedly in the range of €40-44 million, including bonuses, but this figure fell short of Köln's valuation. Despite reports indicating El Mala's willingness to move to Dortmund, the two clubs currently remain far apart on the transfer fee, suggesting the saga may continue until the final week of the transfer window.