Dortmund has dramatically withdrawn from the race to secure the promising Cologne prospect, Said El Mala. This development follows the rejection of a colossal transfer bid, valued at over €50 million, by their domestic rival.

The final proposal was recently submitted to Cologne’s sporting director, Thomas Kessler, by Dortmund executives Lars Ricken and Ole Book. However, a complete agreement between the clubs could not be reached, prompting Dortmund to exit the negotiation table entirely. This significant turn of events brings an end to one of the summer’s most prominent transfer sagas. The player is now expected to remain with his current club for the upcoming season.

Dortmund’s General Manager for Sport, Lars Ricken, has publicly verified that the club will no longer pursue the talented youngster. He provided a clear statement regarding the aborted transfer.

“Said El Mala is not a Borussia Dortmund player and will not become one this summer,” Ricken affirmed. “We engaged in open discussions with the management of 1. FC Köln in recent days, but they rejected our final offer. Borussia Dortmund will not submit another offer and will not continue to pursue the player’s transfer.”

While the overall financial package was exceptionally lucrative, the proposed deal’s structure ultimately led to the collapse of negotiations. Dortmund’s initial transfer fee offer reportedly stood at approximately €46 million.

With the inclusion of various performance-related bonuses, the total package would have slightly exceeded Cologne’s €50 million valuation, reaching an estimated €52 million to €53 million. However, Cologne remained completely unsatisfied with the stringent conditions attached to these potential bonuses.

The proposed bonuses were structured over a particularly extended period. Furthermore, they heavily relied on the player achieving a high number of first-team appearances, which meant Cologne lacked any genuine financial guarantees.

Following Dortmund’s definitive withdrawal from negotiations, Said El Mala will continue his immediate development at Cologne. The highly promising young talent will now fully concentrate on the upcoming season alongside his current teammates.

Cologne’s steadfastness in the transfer market demonstrates a clear intent to dictate the terms of any major departure. The club successfully maintained its position regarding the precise payment structure for its €50 million valuation. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s recruitment team must now pivot towards alternative targets. The club’s management will explore other options if they aim to strengthen their squad before the official closure of the summer transfer window.