Köln‘s senior leadership has publicly rallied behind teenage talent Said El Mala as speculation regarding a move to Borussia Dortmund continues to dominate headlines in the Bundesliga. Sporting director Thomas Kessler, head coach René Wagner and club captain Marvin Schwaebe have all offered their perspectives on the 19-year-old’s future amid ongoing transfer discussions, presenting a united front as the window progresses.
Voices of Support
Kessler was particularly effusive in his praise of the player’s professionalism during this uncertain period. “How the boy behaves, how he trains and plays is so fantastic,” the sporting director told Sport 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.” His comments underline the high regard in which the 19-year-old is held within the club’s hierarchy.
Wagner adopted a measured, pragmatic approach when addressing the speculation surrounding his player. “We must not worry about things that we cannot influence,” the 38-year-old said after assessing El Mala’s contributions in recent training sessions and pre-season fixtures. His stance suggests the coaching staff are attempting to maintain normalcy and stability despite the increasing external noise.
Schwaebe, serving as a protective voice for the dressing room, expressed concern about the psychological impact of daily transfer speculation on such a young player. “You don’t do him any favors with transfer talks every day,” the goalkeeper noted. “That does not make it any easier for him as a 19-year-old boy.” He confirmed there had been no indication of a mental departure at the season’s conclusion, adding: “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.”
Valuation Stalemate
The Germany youth international has attracted concrete interest from BVB, though the clubs remain significantly apart on valuation. According to Sport BILD, Köln are seeking approximately €50 million for the highly-rated teenager, a figure Dortmund are reportedly unwilling to meet. This gap creates a significant obstacle to any potential agreement.
Despite the financial deadlock, El Mala is understood to be keen on securing the transfer. With the transfer window entering its final week, sources indicate the saga may remain unresolved until the closing days. The player’s desire to join Dortmund contrasts sharply with Köln’s determination to retain their prized asset unless their valuation is fully met, setting the stage for potentially tense late negotiations between the two Bundesliga sides.