Dortmund push Said El Mala deal, their record signing

Borussia Dortmund are stepping up efforts in recent hours to seal the signing of Said El Mala, a 19-year-old German winger from 1. FC Köln. According to *Sport Bild*, the Westphalian club are preparing a fresh offer of €50 million plus €5 million in variables, a proposal Cologne would accept after rejecting lower bids.

The move would make El Mala Dortmund's most expensive signing ever, eclipsing the €35 million paid for Ousmane Démbéle from Rennes. The winger arrives as Karim Adeyemi's replacement and joins fellow recruits Konstantinos Karetsas, Joane Gadou, Kaua Prates and Justin Lerma.

El Mala has become one of German football's brightest prospects following a standout season: 34 Bundesliga games with 13 goals and 5 assists. His form earned him a call-up from Julian Nagelsmann for World Cup qualifiers. Even Bundesliga legend Lothar Matthäus backed the deal on Sky: "Dortmund have strengthened well and El Mala is a very well-rated move, one that will certainly increase in value down the line".