Köln chief “relaxed” over Dortmund-linked El Mala as he denies €50m demand

Köln chief Thomas Kessler talked about Said El Mala’s transfer saga after their 2-1 friendly win over Real Sociedad.

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After Köln beat Real Sociedad for the second time in as many days, sporting director Thomas Kessler talked about Said El Mala’s transfer saga. The 19-year-old is courted by Borussia Dortmund after a transfer to Brentford collapsed earlier in this window.

“On the present day, where we are standing here in the sun of Müngersdorf, I would say that I’m completely relaxed. I assume that he will be with us in the first game of the Bundesliga.” Kessler said in an interview with Magenta TV.

“We have a long-term contract and no reason to hand over the player. It’s perfectly normal for us to have a lot of rumors and see lots of interpretations, especially if you have a player like Said (El Mala) in your ranks.” added Kessler after Köln’s impressive 2-1 victory.

Kessler also stressed that no one from the club publicly talked about the €50 million demand from the Rhine club. “The price tag is a topic that has never been communicated publicly by me. I never said there was a price tag.”

According to multiple reports, Dortmund are ready to raise their offer as they continue to pursue a second attacker after completing the signing of Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk. Germany coach Jürgen Klopp is also reportedly in favor of El Mala’s move to Dortmund.