Dortmund dramatically withdrew from the race to sign Cologne’s promising talent, Said El Mala. This move follows the Bundesliga club’s substantial offer, valued at over €50 million, being rejected by their domestic rivals.

The final proposal was presented recently to Cologne’s sporting director, Thomas Kessler, by Dortmund officials Lars Ricken and Ole Book. However, the clubs could not reach a full agreement, prompting Dortmund to completely exit negotiations. This major development concludes one of the summer’s most significant transfer sagas. The player is now expected to remain with his current club for the upcoming season.

Dortmund’s managing director for sport, Lars Ricken, publicly confirmed that the club would no longer pursue the talented young player. He clarified the situation regarding the failed transfer.

“Said El Mala is not a Borussia Dortmund player and will not become one this summer,” Ricken stated. “We held open discussions with 1. FC Köln officials in recent days, but they rejected our final offer. Borussia Dortmund will not submit another offer and will not pursue the player’s transfer further.”

While the overall financial package was highly attractive, the proposed deal’s structure ultimately led to the negotiations’ failure. Dortmund’s initial transfer fee was reportedly around €46 million.

With performance-related bonuses, the total package would have slightly surpassed Cologne’s €50 million valuation, reaching an estimated €52 million to €53 million. However, Cologne remained dissatisfied with the strict conditions attached to these potential bonuses.

The proposed bonuses were structured over an extended period and heavily relied on the player achieving a high number of first-team appearances, meaning Cologne lacked real financial guarantees.

Following Dortmund’s definitive withdrawal from negotiations, Said El Mala will continue his immediate development at Cologne. The highly promising young talent will now fully focus on the upcoming season alongside his current teammates.

Cologne’s firm stance in the transfer market demonstrates its clear willingness to dictate terms for any major departure. The club successfully maintained its position regarding the exact payment structure for its €50 million valuation. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s scouting department must now turn its attention to alternative targets. The club’s management will explore other options if it wishes to strengthen its squad before the official closure of the summer transfer window.