Transfer falls through: how Said El Mala slipped through BVB’s fingers | OneFootball

Said El Mala is currently causing a stir in the Bundesliga – and frustration at BVB. Borussia Dortmund was close to signing the 19-year-old offensive player last year. But in the end, it was 1. FC Köln that secured the coveted talent – thanks to a clever move and a decisive promise.

In the summer of 2024, a real transfer thriller was brewing behind the scenes, as reported by BILD. At that time, 1. FC Köln was under a FIFA transfer ban and was officially not allowed to register new players. Said El Mala, then still active at Viktoria Köln, had just made the leap to the professionals and played for the German U18 national team for the first time.

Borussia Dortmund was among the first clubs to become aware of the offensive jewel. According to BILD information, BVB was already in concrete talks with the player's parents and advisors – even a date for the medical check was reportedly set.

But Köln reacted – and found a way to make the transfer possible despite the ban. The club formally signed El Mala but did not register him immediately, instead loaning him back to Viktoria Köln. A legal but highly creative solution.

Two Köln Trumps Made the Difference

According to BILD, the transfer was only decided at the last minute – and Köln outmaneuvered BVB for two reasons.

First: The FC officials knew that Said El Mala only wanted to move together with his brother Malek El Mala. The FC guaranteed the double transfer – a decisive factor for the family.

Second: Köln promised the then 18-year-old in the summer of 2024 to integrate him firmly into the professional team by 2025 at the latest – regardless of whether the club is promoted or not. This long-term trust ultimately convinced the youngster and his family.

BVB Offered Too Little – and Showed Too Little Trust

Photo: IMAGO

In Dortmund, youth coach Mike Tullberg (now coach at FC Midtjylland) had his eye on El Mala and was eager to sign him. But BVB had different plans: El Mala was initially supposed to shuttle between the U19 and U23 teams, rather than having a direct perspective with the professionals.

Financially, the offers also differed. According to BILD, BVB initially offered 100,000 euros, later 150,000 euros as a transfer fee. Köln, on the other hand, focused less on money and more on persuasion – and the feeling of appreciation.

According to the player's environment, this is exactly where the deal failed. The El Mala family felt in discussions with Lars Ricken and Sebastian Kehl that Dortmund did not fully recognize the talent's potential.

A year later, it is clear: Köln did everything right. Said El Mala extended his contract with FC in the summer of 2025 until 2030 – without an exit clause. With three goals in 245 Bundesliga minutes, the offensive player has quickly developed into one of Germany's most exciting talents.

On Saturday, an emotional encounter will take place at Signal Iduna Park: El Mala will face Borussia with Köln – the club that once let him go. For Dortmund, a painful reminder of a missed opportunity.

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