Roma Pursues Said El Mala Despite Serie A Doubts

AS Roma have stepped firmly into the race for Said El Mala, placing the 19-year-old Cologne winger on their shortlist and, crucially, showing a willingness to pay the full price.

According to Geissblog, the Giallorossi are prepared to meet Cologne’s €50 million valuation, a figure that underlines how highly they rate the Germany Under-21 international. Roma have already been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jean-Matteo Bahoya for around €45 million, a benchmark that makes their stance on El Mala even clearer: this is a club ready to invest heavily in a new left-sided attacker.

There is one major problem.

El Mala himself is not currently convinced by a move to Italy. Sky reports that the seven-time Germany U21 international does not see his immediate future in Serie A, leaving Roma with money on the table but no guarantee the player will follow.

Dortmund deal blown up by bad blood

While Roma try to tempt the youngster south, one major Bundesliga option has already disappeared. A switch to Borussia Dortmund, once a realistic pathway, is now considered definitively off.

Geissblog reports that Cologne were unhappy with both the financial package and, more pointedly, Dortmund’s behaviour during talks. The club from the RheinEnergieStadion are said to have been angered by the way the Black and Yellows allegedly tried to influence the player to force the move.

The reaction was swift. Decision-makers at the Geißbockheim agreed internally to cut off all negotiations with Dortmund immediately. No second chances, no reopening the door.

Leipzig hesitate as price stays firm

With Dortmund out, the Bundesliga field has thinned dramatically. Only RB Leipzig are still in the frame domestically, but even they are keeping their distance from Cologne’s demands.

As reported by Geissblog, Leipzig have informed 1. FC Köln that they neither can nor want to pay the €50 million asking price at this stage. The stance is clear: they like the player, but not at that cost.

A twist is still possible. Leipzig’s position could change if they manage to bring in significant funds from the sale of Yan Diomande. Only a sizeable outgoing transfer would give them the financial room to launch another push for El Mala and test Cologne’s resolve. Until then, their interest remains theoretical rather than concrete.

Price rising, stock rising

While the market circles and hesitates, El Mala is quietly strengthening his hand where it matters most – on the pitch.

In Cologne’s 8-0 friendly win over Bergisch Gladbach on Thursday, the 19-year-old scored his first goal of the current pre-season, a small but timely reminder of why clubs across Europe are tracking him. Every sharp touch and every decisive action in these weeks only reinforces Cologne’s position: they have a valuable asset, and they will not sell him cheaply.

Roma are ready. Leipzig are waiting. Dortmund are out.

The next move belongs to Said El Mala – and to the club willing, and able, to match both his price tag and his ambitions.