Borussia Dortmund sporting director Ole Book has openly criticized the flood of conflicting reports surrounding the club's pursuit of Said El Mala, insisting that much of the circulating information is fabricated. Speaking on the sidelines of Dortmund's friendly match in Düsseldorf, Book expressed frustration at what he described as a "remarkable volume of misinformation" amid ongoing transfer negotiations with FC Cologne.
Since arriving at BVB in March, Book has maintained a consistent stance on unconfirmed targets: the club will not discuss players outside its roster. Yet speculation around El Mala, Cologne's standout left-winger from the previous season, has intensified across German media. Reports have produced wildly different fee structures—Sky Deutschland suggested a package worth €26 million base plus up to €16 million in achievable bonuses, while Bild claimed Dortmund tabled a fixed €34 million plus €6 million offer. Cologne, however, reportedly demands €50 million for the 19-year-old prospect.
Market Discipline Over Desperation
Book acknowledged that BVB urgently requires attacking reinforcements following Karim Adeyemi's departure to Barcelona. "Of course we would have liked to have signed an attacking player by now," he conceded, yet emphasized that Dortmund will not be rushed into poor decisions. The sporting director stressed that the club targets "two attacking positions" but remains committed to "doing the right things"—a philosophy that extends beyond securing pure pace alone. This disciplined approach reflects Book's track record at SV Elversberg, where he orchestrated the club's rapid sporting ascent in recent years.
Cologne's negotiating position remains firm. After rejecting Dortmund's initial bid as insufficient, the Bundesliga side has shown little appetite for further compromise, particularly given what sources characterize as unimpressive conduct from the German champions. The club is currently at a training camp in Kitzbühel with El Mala, where the atmosphere reportedly remains stable despite the relentless transfer chatter.
Competition for El Mala extends beyond the Ruhr Valley. RB Leipzig has also registered interest but faces similar financial constraints. However, AS Roma appears better positioned financially and is prepared to invest significantly above €40 million to acquire the left-winger this transfer window, potentially shifting the dynamics of this saga entirely.
