Jurgen Klopp has denied reports he’s pushed Said El Mala towards former side Borussia Dortmund.
El Mala is one of the highest-rated young talents in Germany and looks to finally be on the move after 18 months of transfer speculation.
FC Koln are reading a sale, and it now looks like the forward will choose Borussia Dortmund over Tottenham.
Some unsubstantiated reports claimed that it was due to Klopp’s involvement.
The Champions League winner is now Germany coach, and El Mala is desperate for a call-up, making it into the senior squad but never featuring.
Reports claimed that Klopp advised El Mala to join his former side Dortmund.
Jurgen Klopp denies encouraging El Mala to join Dortmund
However, his entourage have briefed out there is no truth to those claims with multiple German outlets reporting the update.
One of those, broadcasters Sport1, wrote: “Contrary to other media reports, the national coach is not involved in the events surrounding the winger and his former club.
“According to SPORT1 , there has also been no exchange between El Mala and the DFB coach.”
Nevertheless, the news of BVB’s interest is still massive, as is the price tag.
Dortmund could obliterate their transfer record for El Mala
It’s claimed that the Bundesliga runners-up are readying a €55million offer to Koln.
That would smash through their previous record deal of €35m for Ousmane Dembele from Rennes in 2016.
BVB went on to sell Dembele for a staggering €105m plus €40m in add ons.
They’ve rarely spent big since, up until now with El Mala on the market.
Cologne sporting director Thomas Kessler was asked about Dortmund’s interest after a friendly against Real Sociedad and batted it away.
Cologne react to El Mala reports
He commented: “If something comes along that is of a magnitude for FC Cologne that makes us want to talk, we will do so.
“We have a long-term contract and no reason to let the player go – I expect him to be on the pitch for Cologne in the Bundesliga this year.”
Cologne coach René Wagner added: “The boy gives everyone the feeling every day that he’s not even thinking about leaving.
“What happens next is something none of us can influence, except perhaps him and the club.
“But we’re currently in a position where Said El Mala will remain a footballer with us.
“If all the rumours contribute to Said El Mala emerging in training and at the end of the season, then the rumours were very, very good for us, because he’s currently presenting an impeccable image.”
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