Inter Milan join race for Köln wonderkid Said El Mala

The young Köln winger has become one of Bundesliga’s hottest prospects and Inter Milan are now among the clubs closely monitoring his rise

Said El Mala, the young Köln winger born in 2006, is drawing major attention across the Bundesliga. 

It comes as no surprise that several top European clubs have already set their sights on the German talent. Alongside Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, new competition is emerging.

According to Bild via Fcinter1908, both  and Paris Saint-Germain are now interested in El Mala. 

The list of suitors continues to grow, as Chelsea are also reportedly tracking him. Bayern’s head scout, Nils Schmadtke, has already contacted Köln’s management to express his interest, making it clear that the Bavarian giants would step forward should there be any chance of a transfer.

El Mala’s rise: from low-cost signing to Bundesliga revelation

Bild suggests that a real bidding war could soon unfold for the young winger. El Mala, 19, is under a long-term contract with Köln until 2030, with no release clause and no minimum asking price set for a sale. 

However, a departure in January seems unlikely, with a potential summer move in 2026 looking more realistic. Köln’s management still hope to keep him at least through the 2026/27 season.

The player’s agent recently sought to calm the transfer rumors:

“Reports claiming we’ve met with Dortmund, Bayern, or English clubs are not correct. At the moment, there’s no reason to leave Köln — neither in January nor next summer,” he told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.

Köln signed El Mala in the summer of 2024 for just €300,000. Initially loaned out to Viktoria Köln, he joined the first team permanently this season and has made an immediate impact. 

After seven Bundesliga matches, El Mala has already scored three goals and provided one assist.

Köln coach Lukas Kwasniok was full of praise but realistic about his starlet’s future:

“Let’s be honest — if he keeps scoring and adds the key elements needed for the Bundesliga, we’ll eventually have to sell him for an incredible amount. It’s just a matter of time.”