Manchester City have officially entered the race to sign one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting young wingers, with Pep Guardiola personally impressed by FC Cologne prodigy Said El Mala, according to Sky Sports Deutschland.
The report states that City scouts have attended several Cologne matches in recent weeks, monitoring the 19-year-old’s rapid rise.
El Mala has been one of Germany’s best young players this season, earning praise for his explosive dribbling, creativity in tight spaces and ability to operate on the front line.
His performances not only earned the admiration of Guardiola, but also attracted the interest of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, two clubs known for aggressively pursuing top domestic talent.
Man City leads race to sign Said El Mala
However, finalizing a transfer can be much more complicated for Bundesliga contenders than their Premier League counterparts.
Earlier this year, FC Cologne acted decisively to secure the future of their rising star, handing El Mala a long-term contract until 2030.
As a result, the club would demand around €40 million, a figure considered high, but not unattainable, for Europe’s biggest clubs.
Despite the growing interest, El Mala would be in no hurry to leave Cologne. According to reports from Sky, talks between the winger’s representatives and the club are planned for the winter, with both parties willing to carefully assess his next step.
Guardiola is an admirer of the winger
Cologne considers El Mala a pillar of its reconstruction project and is reluctant to lose him unless a substantial offer comes through.
El Mala fits Guardiola’s vision for dynamic players who combine technical precision with one-on-one quality.
Bayern and Dortmund, meanwhile, view him as a natural fit for their youth-focused recruiting philosophy, but Cologne’s tough stance and price tag could force them out of the race.
Report: Man City target German star as Guardiola eyes defensive competition
