Bayern Munich wanted to sign a third attacker in the summer, but they didn't have enough time to get the deal over the line. Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson were the marquee signings for Bayern to bolster an attack that lost experience in the summer. They are expected to add more quality in the attack during the next couple of transfer windows.
According to Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich is monitoring 19-year-old winger Said El Mala as a potential transfer target. The Bavarian giant has made inquiries to Cologne about their interest in a deal in the upcoming window. The price tag is expected to be around €35 million. His current contract runs until 2030 with no release clause.
Bayern will face tough competition for El Mala's signature. Rival Borussia Dortmund has also expressed its desire for the highly touted winger. However, the biggest challenge will come from FC Cologne. They are not willing to sell their wonderkid in the winter market, even if the offer exceeds €40 million.
The 2006-born player spent his early career in Cologne, first at Viktoria Cologne before transferring to FC Cologne last year. RheinEnergieSTADION has a reputation for developing talents in the past decade. Their first team currently boasts some of Germany's budding prospects, such as Jan Thielmann and Eric Martel. Bayern Munich also recently bought a future superstar in Jonas Urbig from Cologne.
El Mala enjoying productive debut season in Bundesliga
Said El Mala is playing phenomenally this debut season on the big stage. He has been a key factor in Cologne's strong start in the Bundesliga after being promoted. The rising star has bagged two goals and one assist so far, including the game-winning goal against Hoffenheim last weekend.
Said El Mala possesses a phenomenal physique for a left winger. He stands at around 6ft 2", quite tall for his position, and very well built. He operates best as an inside forward, seeking goal-scoring opportunities from half-space areas rather than drifting wide. His physical attributes are mature for his age, and he looks ready to play football at higher demands than the youth level.
After all, El Mala has been a prominent figure in German youth football in the past few years. He truly rose into stardom and caught media attention at the U19 European Championship last summer. Coming in without much expectation, El Mala outshone more established youngsters in the squad like Assan Ouedraogo, Noah Darvich, Max Moerstedt and Paris Brunner. Four goals and three assists earned him the competition's top goalscorer award. He was also voted into the Team of the Tournament.
Bayern Munich could definitely use a little bit more depth at the left wing position, especially if that someone has great value for the future. Said El Mala can learn from Luis Diaz, a player who also has the same positioning tendency and playstyle as the German prospect.
That being "Said", El Mala will need to show consistency and express himself as a decent player at a higher level before earning a move to any top club.