Matthäus wanted El Mala at BVB: ‘His chance was denied’ | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund has shelved the transfer of Said El Mala. Lothar Matthäus regrets the failed BVB move and sees it as a missed opportunity for the youngster.

The failed move of Said El Mala to Borussia Dortmund is also on Lothar Matthäus’ mind. The German record international would have liked to see the transfer of the 19-year-old attacking talent from 1. FC Köln to BVB. In his view, the move to Dortmund would have been especially valuable for El Mala’s further development.

“I feel sorry for Said El Mala that the move to Dortmund didn’t work out,” Matthäus said in his Sky column. The youngster himself is said to have been very keen on the move. However, Dortmund and Köln were unable to agree on the financial terms. BVB then ended the negotiations and announced that they would not submit another offer.

Matthäus can understand the player’s disappointment. “No disrespect to 1. FC Köln, but it’s different when you play for a title contender and a Champions League participant,” emphasized the 1990 World Cup winner. In his opinion, the prospect of international appearances in particular could have helped El Mala progress further — also with a view to a possible future in the German national team.

After BVB setback: What’s next for El Mala?

The 65-year-old still sees great potential in the winger. “El Mala is a player who belongs to the future.” At the same time, Matthäus believes the failed negotiations could leave mental scars. After all, El Mala had apparently clearly spoken in favor of a move to Dortmund. “I’m curious to see what happens and how things continue for him in Köln. He’s supposed to have a good character, but something like this can still stay in a player’s mind,” the TV pundit stressed.

Photo: IMAGO

Now the important thing for the youngster is to put the collapsed transfer behind him as quickly as possible. Matthäus hopes El Mala can build on his strong performances. Last season, with goals and assists, he played a major role in Köln avoiding relegation. If he impresses again, his market value is unlikely to suffer much either.

Whether El Mala will actually stay at FC, however, remains open. According to media reports, RB Leipzig are considering a move for the Germany U21 international. There, he could also have the opportunity to gain experience on the international stage.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.