Said El Mala is considered one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Bundesliga. The 19-year-old from Cologne is also on FC Bayern’s radar. However, there are currently many indications that a move to Munich – at least this summer – is not a realistic scenario
It is no secret that FC Bayern value El Mala. The German U21 international basically fits into Munich’s dream scheme: young, technically strong, flexible and with high development potential. According to Sport BILD, Bayern continue to regularly enquire about his situation in Cologne. Internally, El Mala is seen as an exciting prospect for the attack
However, the youngster’s current sporting role also plays a decisive role. After strong performances this season, El Mala has recently been relegated to the second tier and has often only been used as a wild card under coach Lukas Kwasniok. For a club like FC Bayern, which prioritizes transfers very carefully, this is a decisive factor
Cologne demand sums beyond Bayern’s reach
There is also the financial dimension. Brighton & Hove Albion are said to have recently submitted an offer of between 25 and 30 million euros to FC Köln – a sum that the FC still considers to be too low. According to Sport BILD, Brighton will make another attempt at El Mala in the summer and will probably improve their offer, partly because coach Fabian Hürzeler is pushing for an El Mala signing
This is precisely the problem from Munich’s point of view: although FC Bayern is financially capable, it has deliberately refrained from investing millions in players who are neither undisputed regulars nor immediate reinforcements. An El Mala transfer of this magnitude would not fit in with the current transfer strategy – especially as Bayern already has a strong attacking line-up and is prioritizing other areas
Lures from the Premier League – Bayern remain cautious
While England is tempting with significantly higher salaries, FC Bayern is taking a more calculated approach. According to the report, El Mala could earn a basic salary of around three million euros a year at Brighton – almost twice as much as he currently earns in Cologne. The English club also apparently see him as immediately fit for the Premier League in sporting terms
In Munich, on the other hand, El Mala would clearly initially be earmarked as a development and rotation player. Given the competition and the current form curve, it is questionable whether this move would make sense for all sides
One thing is clear: Bayern are interested, but not at any price. Munich will certainly not lose sight of Said El Mala. However, a concrete move seems extremely unlikely at the moment. The transfer fee demands are too high, the sporting situation too uncertain and the internal strategy at Säbener Straße too clear.