BVB edge closer to €40m El Mala deal as deadline looms

Borussia Dortmund (BVB) have prepared a new €40 million base offer for Köln forward Said El Mala, adding performance bonuses that bring the total close to the €50 million demanded by 1. FC Köln. The club hopes the package will persuade the Köln‑Star to move before the transfer window closes on 1 September. The proposal marks a rapid escalation in the negotiations, with both Sky and Express confirming the figures.

According to the Express report, the German side expects Köln to reject the fresh offer, but Dortmund’s increased focus on the Effzeh could trigger the first concrete talks between the two clubs. If talks commence, the clubs may "ignite the next stage" of the deal, as the Bericht suggests.

In an ideal scenario, an agreement would be reached over the weekend, allowing El Mala to travel to Dortmund for a medical on Monday. Signatures would follow on Tuesday, and the player would debut in the schwarzgelben jersey, likely wearing the vacant number 10.

The contract on offer runs until 2031 and includes a gross salary of roughly €5 million per year, more than three times the €1.5 million El Mala earned in his last season at Köln, bonuses included. This financial uplift underscores Dortmund’s commitment to securing the midfielder.

Although Köln has recently resisted selling the player, a swift transfer would free funds for the Geißböcke to strengthen other areas of the squad. The club will still need a replacement, and the window remains open until 1 September.

The Poker around Said El Mala is far from over and moves into a new Runde. Erst am Donnerstag, reported that BVB’s Werben for the Köln‑Star has sparked new Hoffnung and a Vorstoß. Die narrative includes references to Köln, Der club’s strategy, Einen potential deal, and Im broader market context. Dean Mouhtaropoulos and Moutrayopoulos were cited in the original Bericht.