Borussia Dortmund exits race for Said El Mala

BERGISCH GLADBACH, GERMANY - JULY 23: Said El Mala of 1. FC Köln enters the pitch prior to the pre-season friendly match between SV Bergisch Gladbach 09 and 1. FC Köln at BELKAW Arena on July 23, 2026 in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) | Getty Images According to

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What is the story about?

According to a report from Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Borussia Dortmund has temporarily bailed out of the race for FC Köln attacker Said El Mala.

With the Billy Goats unwilling to move off the fee that they want for the young, German attacker, BVB is going to take a step back and regather itself before potentially making another bid:

🚨❌ BREAKING | Borussia Dortmund have temporarily pulled out of the race for Said El Mala.

FC Köln have not accepted BVB’s latest offer

Köln are demanding

€50m guaranteed. Deal currently off. Both sides are trying to stand their ground. Dortmund are frustrated with Köln, while Köln insist on a “5” as the first digit of the guaranteed fee, with only a few instalments. #Effzeh

Let’s see what happens between now and Deadline Day.

@berger_pj @SkySportDE

German national team coach Jürgen Klopp is reportedly trying to help push the move behind-the-scenes, but El Mala’s price tag seems to be the issue between the two clubs at the moment.