Bundesliga star speaks out on potential January transfer - Southampton have showed interest | OneFootball

Southampton were previously linked with a move for the Bundesliga striker

Southampton won’t be successfully revisiting a deal for Bundesliga forward Said El Mala in January, who has confirmed that he will be remaining at Koln beyond the winter transfer window.

After a dreadful start to the season, the Saints have picked up form in recent times and look to be back in the play-off hunt.

Will Still was relieved of his managerial duties before the November international break, having won just two of his 13 Championship matches in charge. In came Under 21s boss Tonda Eckert to steady the ship, who proceeded to win his first four games in charge.

With a potential play-off finish now a serious possibility for Southampton, attention turns to the January window and how they can bolster their squad.

However, one of their summer targets has already confirmed that he won’t be heading to St. Mary’s if they decide to try and renew their interest.

Said El Mala rules out winter transfer amid previous Southampton links

During the summer window, Southampton were reported to hold a keen interest in Cologne’s El Mala, and had already bid “a lot of money” for his services, but a deal didn’t materialise.

There were fears within the German side that a deal may be revisited in January, which grew even greater due to the forward’s flying form.

The 19-year-old has scored five goals and provided two assists in 12 Bundesliga appearances, with just four of those being starts.

Cologne coach Lukas Kwasniok described El Mala as “A street footballer who has a god-given talent”, further increasing the hype surrounding the teenager.

However, it has been confirmed by El Mala that he won’t be moving clubs in January.

Speaking via Kicker, the forward stated: “I think it’s normal that when you’re a young player and you get a few points in the Bundesliga, several clubs come calling,” he said.

“I’m aware of it, but it doesn’t affect me. It’s a nice recognition of my performance, but I’m fully focused on FC Cologne and will stay here through the winter transfer window.”

Bayern Munich and Brighton are other sides that have been credited with an interest in El Mala, and with his current contract at Koln is set to run until 2030, it means any potential future transfer will probably require a hefty fee.

Said El Mala could’ve been a superb capture for Southampton - He may soon be out of their range though

Koln were reluctant to let El Mala leave during the summer and for good reason too, as he has proven himself to be one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting young talents in such a short space of time.

His goalscoring ability with such little experience in the division is extremely rare, which will make it even more sore for Southampton that they couldn’t get a deal done for the forward.

The 19-year-old would no doubt have exploded in the Championship, given what he's been showing at a higher level, and could’ve provided Eckert with an extra edge during the second period of this season.

El Mala has confirmed that the Saints won’t be receiving that boost, but he would’ve made for an excellent piece of business at St Mary’s - sadly for the Saints though, they may have well and truly missed the boat on this one.