Said El Mala breaks silence on Manchester City transfer speculation as major hint dropped
FC Koln starlet Said El Mala is not joining Manchester City in the January transfer window despite their serious interest in his services.
El Mala has been a breakout star in the Bundesliga this season after impressing last term out on loan in the third tier.
The 19-year-old winger has registered five goals and two assists in 12 top-flight appearances for FC Koln so far to attract attention from some of the world’s biggest clubs.
Football Insider revealed last month that Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea are keeping tabs on El Mala after his strong start to the campaign.
Man City have sent scouts to watch El Mala with Pep Guardiola known to be “impressed” by his progress as they line up a move, but he is not set to leave Germany in the upcoming January window, so their interest must be halted for now.
El Mala admits he will stay at Koln in January despite high-profile interest
Football Insider have revealed that Man City want to sign El Mala, but a number of those aforementioned Premier League rivals remain interested in his services.
The 19-year-old continued his fine form with a last-gasp equaliser against Werder Bremen last time out, while he was involved with the senior Germany national team for the first time in November.
Despite widespread interest in his services, El Mala has confirmed that he will stay at Koln in January in a recent interview with German outlet Kicker.
He said: “I think it’s normal for several clubs to come calling when you’re a young player who scores a few goals in the Bundesliga.
“I’m aware of it, but it doesn’t affect me. It’s nice recognition for my performance, but I’m fully focused on FC and will be staying here in the winter.
He also went on to provide an insight into his future aims, which will boost City’s pursuit of his services, saying: “Everyone has goals, everyone wants to play in the Champions League, for the best club possible and achieve the greatest things. That’s what every footballer works towards.”
What Julian Nagelsmann said after El Mala’s maiden Germany call-up
Previous reports have stated that both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are both also interested in El Mala, and Koln are set to demand over €40 million (£35.2m) for his signature with his current contract set to run until 2030.
He sat on the bench for Germany against Luxembourg last month before going back to their U21 squad, but national team boss Julian Nagelsmann heaped praise onto the 19-year-old’s talents following his senior breakthrough.
He said: “He (El Mala) made a good impression. I have very close communication with [Germany U21 coach] Toni Di Salvo.
“He is happy for his players when they can showcase themselves with the senior national team. But for his mission, it’s not ideal.
“Said did well. You always have to put things into perspective, because it was his first time with us and he didn’t have much training time here. He is humble and cheeky enough at the same time.
“He needs to become a regular starter in Koln and have the ambition to address the areas for improvement that his club coach and I have pointed out. Then he will also have the opportunity to make an impact with the national team.”
El Mala is surely set to be a real key man for the Bundesliga club going forward, and could well end up in England soon, but seemingly not in the January window as he continues his progression in his home country.