BVB-Aus: This Rumour about Klopp’s ‘Transfer‑Recommendation’ for El Mala

Around €50 million has been cited as the price 1. FC Köln demand for 19‑year‑old left‑winger Said El Mala, a figure that has fueled persistent rumours of a transfer recommendation from Liverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp to Borussia Dortmund in the German market.

Klopp dismisses transfer rumours

Jürgen Klopp, the new Bundestrainer, rejected the Berichte on his first official Arbeitstag, stating he never made a Transfer‑Empfehlung to the 19‑year‑old Said El Mala. He called the Gerüchte “a bit insulting”, adding that advising a Spieler is not his Aufgabe. Klopp said he could imagine giving a Rat in the future, but only if a trust basis already existed, and his Seine Vergangenheit at a club would not matter.

BVB explains failed poker for the Köln talent

Borussia Dortmund clarified why the Poker for the Kölner Toptalent failed. The club ended negotiations on Friday, confirming that a Wechsel to Dortmund is currently off the table. BVB‑Geschäftsführer Carsten Cramer spoke on the sidelines of the test match against AS Roma, saying the club was willing to take financial risk but had to keep the Kirche im Dorf.

Financial limits shape Dortmund’s approach

Media reports said Köln still asks roughly €50 million for the left‑winger, whose contract runs to 2030 and contains no exit clause. Dortmund had already reached a basic agreement with El Mala, but the club drew a clear line on how far it would go financially. “We wanted to risk something, but we must not become über‑größenwahnsinnig,” Cramer added.

The episode shows that even clubs prepared to gamble financially will set limits to avoid over‑extending, underscoring the careful balance German teams seek between ambition and fiscal responsibility.