"Said El Mala is not a Borussia Dortmund player and will not become one this summer either. Over the past few days, we have held open talks with the officials at 1. FC Cologne, who rejected our latest offer. Borussia Dortmund will not submit another offer and will not pursue a transfer for the player any further," said Ricken.
BVB managing director Carsten Cramer told Bild: "We jointly made a conscious decision not to submit another offer. From our point of view, we made a very valuable offer. For all our sporting ambitions, it is important to us that economic common sense is not left by the wayside."
Talks between Dortmund and Cologne had dragged on for weeks. According to media reports, Borussia Dortmund had already seen several bids knocked back, while the Rhineland club are said to have been holding firm on their €50 million asking price.
Only in July 2025 did El Mala extend his contract until 30 June 2030, without a release clause. The winger made an instant impact in Cologne. In his debut Bundesliga season, the attacking player racked up 13 goals and five assists.
Ricken confirms: Borussia Dortmund pull out of El Mala pursuit
Recently, FC managing director Thomas Kessler said: "Said has a long-term contract and we have no reason to let the player go," but added: "We have also said that if something comes in that is in the right range for 1. FC Cologne and that we want to discuss, then we will do so."
For months, rumours over El Mala's future have continued to swirl. According to media reports, the 19-year-old had already turned down an offer from Brentford FC in the English Premier League after he was not nominated for the World Cup by former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann despite a strong season.