Man City move for goal sensation to accelerate after Reigan Heskey jets in for 'medical' - verdict

Said El Mala is attracting a lot of attention from the Premier League, and Manchester City are attempting to get ahead of the queue.

The 19-year-old attacker notched 13 goals and four assists in 36 games as FC Koln finished 14th in the Bundesliga, avoiding relegation in their first season back in the top flight.

Without him, Koln may well have struggled to achieve that feat, and for that, clubs all around Europe are attempting to secure his signature.

Newcastle United and Chelsea have also been named in the race, but the Citizens might already hold an advantage over their Premier League rivals.

Man City are likely to be in a season of transition, with Pep Guardiola walking away for the first time in a decade, being replaced by one of his disciples.

The same can be seen on the pitch, with Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Nathan Ake all leaving, and more than likely, Jack Grealish as well.

Reigan Heskey exit opens the door for new signing

City's academy has been a production line for young talent in recent seasons, which is why many expected Reigan Heskey to be given a chance in 2026-27.

Instead, the 18-year-old winger, who notched five goals and 12 assists for the Under-21s last term, is leaving as a free agent.

Already, according to Florian Plettenberg (17 July), Heskey's move to Koln is a "done deal," with an announcement expected soon after completing his medical.

That is a huge blow to the supporters who have followed his development in recent seasons, but it could open the door for a new and exciting signing.

That is where El Mala comes in. With Heskey going to Germany, El Mala just as easily could come the other way. If Maresca has been shown any scouting reports, he'd be foolish not to.

What should Man City fans know about Said El Mala?

El Mala's rise to the top in Germany has been incredible to watch, emerging as one of the Bundesliga's highest-scoring wingers.

However, in 2021, he nearly stopped playing altogether, struggling to cope after Borussia Monchengladbach released him at 14 years of age.

His brother convinced him to keep playing at a lower level, and the rest, they say, is history. Now, he's close to an international call-up for Germany.

It would appear that Koln fans are resigned to losing their biggest star. Luckily for them, they'll be gaining a very talented player in Heskey.