# Said El Mala commits to 1. FC Köln after transfer interest > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/borussia-dortmund-transfer-activity > Updated: 2026-08-24T17:49:00.000Z. Sources: 86. Developments: 11. The transfer saga surrounding 19-year-old winger Said El Mala concluded with the player remaining at 1. FC Köln. Negotiations with Borussia Dortmund collapsed after the club failed to meet Köln’s demand for a guaranteed upfront base fee of at least €50 million. Despite total packages reaching approximately €55 million, Dortmund Sporting Director Lars Ricken confirmed the end of the pursuit, stating, “Said El Mala is not a Borussia Dortmund player and he will not become one this summer either.” Following the Dortmund stalemate, RB Leipzig emerged as a major contender. Reports indicated Leipzig was preparing a package including a €50 million fixed fee plus €10 million in bonuses. While El Mala was reportedly open to the move, the pursuit ultimately ended when 1. FC Köln announced that El Mala has signed a contract extension through 2031. As part of his continued tenure, El Mala will take over the number 10 shirt, previously worn by club legend Lukas Podolski. To celebrate, the club offered fans the opportunity to exchange existing number 13 jerseys for the new number 10 until September 30, 2026. In recent club activity, 1. FC Köln advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal following a 2-1 victory against Würzburger Kickers. During the match, El Mala faced intense physical pressure and significant defensive attention, though his commitment was praised by sporting director Thomas Kessler. The club also worked to finalize the return of 31-year-old midfielder Ellyes Skhiri from Eintracht Frankfurt on a contract lasting until 2028. ## Claims - 1. FC Köln demands a minimum €50 million for Saïd El Mala. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Borussia Dortmund offered an immediate €34 million transfer fee plus up to €10 million in bonuses for Saïd El Mala. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Brentford submitted a written €50 million offer for Saïd El Mala. (single source) - Saïd El Mala was signed by 1. FC Köln two years ago for €350,000. (single source) - A t‑online poll of 1,056 readers showed 49.7 % would consider a sale of El Mala, while 50.3 % opposed it. (single source) - Saïd El Mala scored in a test match where Köln beat Bergisch Gladbach 8‑0. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: 1. FC Köln advances in DFB-Pokal after narrow win over Würzburg 1. FC Köln secured a 2-1 DFB-Pokal win against Würzburger Kickers, fueled by an Isak Johannesson brace. Star player Said El Mala also extended his contract with the club until 2031. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/1-fc-kln-extends-said-el-malas-contract-until-2031 ### 2026-08-19: Said El Mala extends contract with 1. FC Köln until 2031 Said El Mala has extended his contract with 1. FC Köln until 2031. The 19-year-old will wear the number 10 shirt following failed transfer talks with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/said-el-mala-transfer-valuation-criticized-by-mario-basler ### 2026-08-17: RB Leipzig targets Said El Mala and Strasbourg players RB Leipzig is targeting multiple young players, including Cologne's Said El Mala with a potential €60 million package and RC Strasbourg's Samir El Mourabet and Diego Moreira. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rb-leipzig-targets-said-el-mala-and-strasbourg-players ### 2026-08-16: Said El Mala transfer to Borussia Dortmund collapses Said El Mala's transfer to Borussia Dortmund has failed, but RB Leipzig is reportedly preparing a major offer of up to €60 million to sign the 1. FC Köln striker. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sad-el-mala-remains-at-1-fc-kln-after-failed-dortmund-transfer ### 2026-08-12: Borussia Dortmund ends Said El Mala transfer pursuit Borussia Dortmund has ended its pursuit of 1. FC Köln's Said El Mala after failing to meet the club's demand for a €50 million guaranteed upfront transfer fee. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/borussia-dortmund-targets-said-el-mala-in-50-million-euro-transfer ### 2026-08-10: Borussia Dortmund targets Said El Mala in potential record transfer Borussia Dortmund is negotiating a potential record-breaking transfer for 19-year-old Said El Mala from 1. FC Köln, with fees expected to exceed 50 million euros. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/borussia-dortmund-targets-said-el-mala-in-potential-50-million-euro-transfer ### 2026-08-07: Borussia Dortmund pursues Said El Mala with €50m offer Borussia Dortmund is preparing a potential €50 million offer for 1. FC Köln's Said El Mala, despite Köln's insistence on high fixed fees and denials of Jürgen Klopp's involvement in the transfer. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/borussia-dortmunds-45m-bid-for-klns-said-el-mala-rejected ### 2026-07-28: Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Köln negotiate €50 million Saïd El Mala transfer Borussia Dortmund offers €34 million (+ bonuses) for Saïd El Mala; Köln demands €50 million, sparking fan debate and a Brentford €50 million bid. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/borussia-dortmund-and-1-fc-kln-negotiate-50-million-sad-el-mala-transfer ### 2026-07-25: Borussia Dortmund pursues Said El Mala as club reflects on youth legacy Borussia Dortmund joins FC Köln and RB Leipzig in a bid for prospect Said El Mala, while the club’s famed youth academy, known for producing stars like Mario Götze and Jude Bellingham, is highlighted. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/borussia-dortmund-pursues-said-el-mala-as-club-reflects-on-youth-legacy ### 2026-07-22: Borussia Dortmund's €42 m offer for Said El Mala rejected by 1. FC Köln Borussia Dortmund offered about €42 million for Said El Mala, but 1. FC Köln, demanding at least €50 million, rejected the bid and will keep the striker. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/borussia-dortmund-weighs-jadon-sancho-return-and-julian-brandts-next-move ### 2026-07-14: Borussia Dortmund plans multiple summer signings as striker options evolve Borussia Dortmund eyes several summer signings, with Guirassy’s contract ending, interest in Asllani, Tresoldi and Mbaye, and a recent departure of midfielder Wätjen to FC Midtjylland. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/borussia-dortmund-eyes-kolo-muani-and-plans-three-additional-summer-signings --- Cite as: Said El Mala commits to 1. FC Köln after transfer interest. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/borussia-dortmund-transfer-activity