RB Leipzig are reportedly preparing a blockbuster offer for Cologne star Said El Mala after Borussia Dortmund abandoned their pursuit of the 19-year-old attacker. Sport Bildnow reports that Leipzig are readying a package containing a €50m guaranteed transfer fee, another €5m in easily achievable bonuses and a further €5m tied to exceptional sporting success. Köln would also receive a percentage of any future resale.
Leipzig’s proposed bid would immediately meet the central condition that ultimately brought Borussia Dortmund’s lengthy pursuit of El Mala to an end. Cologne consistently insisted throughout negotiations with BVB that at least €50m would have to be guaranteed. Dortmund came close to meeting those conditions, but ultimately dropped interest in the player after seeing four bids rejected.
El Mala reportedly open to RB Leipzig move
Sport Bild also reports that El Mala would be open to joining Leipzig. The German U21 international is said to have discussed a potential RB transfer with teammates at Köln as early as Thursday, before Dortmund had officially ended their own pursuit. Just as was the case with Dortmund, however, El Mala himself remains open to a move to a different Bundesliga club.
Whatever twist comes next in the ongoing transfer saga, Cologne head coach René Wagner insisted in some recent public comments that El Mala continued to train effectively and has not allowed the rampant speculation to affect his work. Sporting director Thomas Kessler stated on Sunday that there was presently “no reason to doubt” El Mala would remain with the club.