Said El Mala could stay at Köln after transfer rethink

With a move yet to materialise for Said El Mala, the 19-year-old could now stay at 1. FC Köln after all.

Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

For some time, Said El Mala was widely expected to leave 1. FC Köln this summer.

However, with a transfer yet to materialise, the club are now planning to keep the 19-year-old for the upcoming season, according to Geissblog.

Meanwhile, Bild reports that the player himself is now considering spending another season at the Bundesliga club.

El Mala could still leave Köln in the coming weeks if a suitable club meets the club’s €50 million asking price, but the Bundesliga side are no longer as reliant on generating a transfer fee for the 19-year-old.

The reason is that Jakub Kamiński is close to joining SL Benfica for a reported €20 million fee, which would provide the club with solid funds to strengthen their squad.

Previously this summer, proposed moves for El Mala to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford FC fell through.

Newcastle United, Liverpool FC, and Borussia Dortmund have also been mentioned as suitors, but none appear to be showing concrete interest at the moment.