Borussia Dortmund's summer transfer window has taken a sharp turn after sport director Lars Ricken confirmed the club will not sign Said El Mala. Weeks of negotiations with Cologne ended when the Rhinelanders held firm on a €50 million fixed fee, a price BVB's leadership deemed beyond reasonable limits. "Said El Mala is no player of Borussia Dortmund and will not become one this summer," Ricken told Funke Mediengruppe, while Carsten Cramer added that economic discipline could not be sacrificed for sporting ambition.

The club is now moving quickly on alternatives. Greek winger Giannis Konstantelias of PAOK Saloniki has emerged as the leading candidate for the offensive reinforcement, with contact between the clubs reportedly established and a fee of around €25 million discussed. Barcelona right-back Hector Fort is also firmly on the radar, with Dortmund understood to be the frontrunner for his signature after Yan Couto's departure on loan to Como left coach Niko Kovac with only Julian Ryerson as a natural option on the right flank. Christopher Nkunku and Fisnik Asllani have also been mentioned, though competition for both is significant.

Off the pitch, goalkeeper Diant Ramaj is set to leave on loan to FC Copenhagen, while defender Almugera Kabar has been sent to NEC Nijmegen for first-team experience. Kovac's handling of Maximilian Beier as a wide midfielder rather than a central attacker continues to draw scrutiny. Dortmund drew 2-2 with Roma in their season-opening friendly, and face Bayern Munich in the Super Cup at Signal Iduna Park on August 22.