Bayern Munich have kept FC Koln’s rising star Said El Mala on their radar, but talks of making a move for him are premature.
The 19-year-old has already made a big impression in Germany, scoring two goals and providing an assist in six appearances, with five of them coming from the bench.
He is seen as one of Germany’s most promising young talents, and his meteoric rise has caught the attention of top clubs, including Bayern.
El Mala’s agent makes Bayern Munich transfer admission
El Mala has a contract with Koln until 2030, and while he does not have a release clause, he would cost around £30m (€35m).
The player’s agent has confirmed that the attacker will play for Koln next season and that he is not going anywhere in the near future.
He further adds that the reports of players’ agents meeting with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are incorrect.
El Mala’s agent said: “Current reports that the player’s agents are meeting with Dortmund, Bayern, or clubs from England are incorrect.
“As things stand, there’s absolutely no reason to leave 1. FC Köln – neither this winter nor next summer. There’s currently nothing to prevent Said from playing for Köln next season, especially since the club is developing very positively.
“Everyone knows that Said, if he continues to develop at this rate, will eventually take the next step. But he’s not going anywhere in the near future; he’s staying with FC Köln. We’re consciously holding the reins together.”
Bayern need to make a big decision
We previously reported that El Mala is on Bayern’s radar, but beyond that, there has been no development whatsoever.
Christian Falk told CFBayern that Joshua Kimmich has been following the youngster’s progress, indicating that he is good enough to play for Bayern.
However, the German champions need to make a bold decision regarding the future of Serge Gnabry, who has been outstanding this season.
Gnabry has a contract at the Allianz Arena until the end of the season, and if he is allowed to move on, Bayern could make a serious effort for El Mala.
Falk said: “It is TRUE: Said el Mala is now on FC Bayern’s radar. He’s been on the radar for the last two years. Bayern have seen that there’s a very big talent here.
“El Mala has been brilliant in his last few games for FC Köln. I talked to Joshua Kimmich at the national team, we had an interview there, and the Bayern star said that when he saw Said el Mala in action, he was googling about his citizenship. If Kimmich is watching him, he’s probably also good enough for Bayern Munich.
“The question within the club, however, is whether or not it’s too early to bring him in.
“Serge Gnabry is also set to be a free agent in the summer, and no one knows if he’s going to get a new contract. His salary is very, very high. We heard €17m-20m a year. Bayern won’t pay him that again.
“Perhaps he will say goodbye, like Leroy Sané did. I think it’s a really similar situation. Leroy could have earned €8m-10m if he’d stayed and not gone to Galatasaray.
“This could be difficult, and then Bayern have to ask themselves whether they bring Said el Mala in, or whether they need another top star like Luis Diaz.”
Bayern spent heavily on signing Luis Diaz in the summer transfer window, and he has already proved to be a terrific signing for the club.
Like any top club, the German champions will check out plenty of options to bolster their squad, and Said El Mala is one of them. He looks like a fantastic young talent, but a move away from Koln in the near future looks unlikely.
→ READ MORE: The Bayern Insider: Bayern fear multiple Premier League transfer threats
