Sky Sports: Man City eyeing move to sign €40m Bundesliga forward | OneFootball

Manchester City Scouts Cologne’s Rising Star Said El Mala

Manchester City are keeping a close eye on one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young attackers, with Pep Guardiola reportedly impressed by 19-year-old Cologne forward Said El Mala. According to Sky Sports Germany, Guardiola has been following El Mala’s progress through both match footage and live scouting missions.

Guardiola’s Growing Interest

City’s interest in the teenage sensation highlights the growing competition across Europe for emerging German talent. Guardiola “has watched several videos and scenes” and even sent scouts to observe El Mala in person at recent Cologne fixtures. Those close to the situation say the City manager admires El Mala’s tactical maturity and confidence on the ball.

El Mala’s breakthrough this season has been remarkable. In just 385 competitive minutes, he has contributed directly to six goals, a return that has propelled him into the conversation for senior international football. His debut in Germany’s 2-0 win over Luxembourg further underlined his rising stock.

Photo: IMAGO

Praise from Julian Nagelsmann

National team coach Julian Nagelsmann was full of admiration for the youngster, telling Sky Sports Germany: “He has fulfilled the soft skills. He is a super pleasant young man who has made a good impression.” Nagelsmann also described El Mala as “humble enough, but also cheeky enough,” a balance that has impressed the German coaching setup.

However, Nagelsmann was quick to note that El Mala still has “construction sites” to address before he becomes an “undisputed regular” for Cologne. Such feedback reflects both his potential and the expectations that come with being one of the Bundesliga’s most talked-about prospects.

Contract and Competition

El Mala’s club, 1. FC Köln, are under no pressure to sell. His contract was extended until 2030, giving the club significant leverage. Reports suggest Cologne would not entertain offers below €40 million. With that in mind, any move to the Premier League or one of Germany’s elite clubs could prove difficult.

“Talks between the player side and the Cologne team are planned for the winter,” reported Sky Sports Germany. Despite the growing hype, El Mala remains grounded and fully focused on his development. “He feels right at home in Cologne and wants to take the next steps in his development,” the report stated.

Europe’s Elite Taking Notice

Alongside Manchester City, both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring the player. For City, the attraction lies in El Mala’s versatility and composure in possession, attributes that fit neatly into Guardiola’s attacking system. Whether this admiration will evolve into a formal approach remains to be seen, but City’s attention alone speaks volumes about El Mala’s growing reputation.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester City fan’s perspective, this story is intriguing on several levels. Said El Mala fits the profile of a Guardiola player: intelligent, quick-thinking, and technically assured.

The reported €40 million price tag may seem steep for a teenager, but City have never shied away from investing in youth. If El Mala continues to perform at his current rate, that valuation could quickly appear reasonable. His ability to link play and contribute goals in limited minutes suggests he could thrive in a possession-heavy system like City’s.

There’s also the strategic angle. With Kevin De Bruyne departing in the summer and Phil Foden taking on greater creative responsibility, adding another young, dynamic attacker could future-proof City’s midfield and attack. Fans would welcome this type of signing, not as a headline-grabber, but as a long-term project designed for sustained dominance.