Sources: Man City make ‘concrete’ move for Said El Mala after transfer mission
Man City are the latest Premier League giant to register a concrete interest in signing Koln starlet Said El Mala following his impressive start to the 2025-26 season.
Said El Mala has been a breakout star with FC Koln in the Bundesliga this season, with his performances attracting attention from some of England’s biggest clubs.
The 19-year-old winger has registered four goals and an assist in 10 top-flight appearances so far, while he was involved with the senior Germany squad last week for the first time in his short career to date.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea were keeping tabs on El Mala after his strong start to the campaign.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Man City have now also joined the race for his services after sending scouts to watch him in the flesh.
Man City register new interest in El Mala ahead of January window
City boss Pep Guardiola is known to have been “impressed” by El Mala after watching a number of videos of him playing and hearing back from his scouts’ reports.
Former club captain Vincent Kompany recently praised El Mala, with Bayern Munich also known to be tracking his progress, and City may well be poised to make a move as soon as possible.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Yeah, he’s really pushed onto the scene this season, El Mala.
“(He’s) one of the most exciting young players in the German Bundesliga, four goals and one assist in nine appearances for Koln this season, which has brought him onto the radar of some of the top clubs in European football.
“I did a story last month on Football Insider suggesting that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were all sending scouts to watch El Mala, and now Manchester City are the latest club to show interest in the exciting winger.
“That’s no surprise. All the top clubs do their homework on the best young players who are making waves in European football.”
Man City could also raid Bundesliga for Nathaniel Brown swoop
Man City are already playing catch-up in the Premier League right now as Arsenal sit four points ahead of them at the top of the table after 11 games.
They could be set to add to Guardiola’s options in January as a result with El Mala eyed, while another German talent could also join after Football Insider revealed that City are tracking Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nathaniel Brown.
The 22-year-old registered three goals and seven assists in 26 league outings last season, while he has notched one goal and two assists in 10 Bundesliga games so far.
Much like El Mala, though, they are not the only English club after in his services, with Football Insider revealing that Arsenal and Man United are interested in Brown.