Spurs and Man United enter race for 1. FC Köln’s Said El Mala at €30-40m

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have joined the chase for 1. FC Köln forward Said El Mala, with the German club indicating a €30-40m valuation after a €20m bid from Brighton was turned down last summer. From what I’ve seen and heard around scouting circles, El Mala profiles as a modern attacking outlet who can play across the front line, press with intent and finish early. For Spurs, he fits the vertical, front-foot approach. For United, he adds mobility and direct running. The fee is punchy, but the market for multi-role forwards is premium right now. This one has real legs.

German outlet Sport Bild reports Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have joined the race for 1. FC Köln’s Said El Mala, with a price tag in the €30-40m range. Sport Witness relayed the development and added context that Brighton & Hove Albion had a €20m proposal rejected last summer. Köln’s financial posture in Germany’s second tier makes a sizable sale plausible if bidding escalates.

🚨 JUST IN: Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are the latest clubs to join the battle for 1. FC Köln’s Said El Mala. He has a price tag of 30/40M Euros. Last summer, Brighton & Hove Albion offered €20M and it was turned down. [@SPORTBILD, @Sport_Witness]

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

From a squad-building lens, El Mala answers two different problems. Spurs need another runner who attacks space off the shoulder and sustains the press when they lock teams in. United need a connector who can stretch back lines so their 9 is not isolated. El Mala ticks both boxes with his first-step acceleration, near-post timing and willingness to counter-press after turnovers.

Financially, €30-40m is the going rate for a 20-23 age-band forward with upside and resale. Spurs have been disciplined, often structuring deals with add-ons linked to appearances and European qualification. United, under a recruitment model that has shifted toward younger profiles, can justify the outlay if the contract length protects value. Köln, operating in 2. Bundesliga, have leverage through contract control but limited revenue relative to top-flight peers - that often nudges sellers to accept an offer with add-ons and a sell-on clause.

On-pitch impact is immediate. At Spurs, El Mala would allow rotation across the front three, giving relief to Son and adding a direct threat that complements Richarlison’s penalty-box work. At United, he brings transition speed that creates better spacing for their striker and attacking midfielders. In both squads, he raises the athletic baseline and supports a high pressing identity. That is why multiple clubs are converging now.

Reaction

Fan chatter is lively and, frankly, predictable when a new name hits the market. I saw one bullish take: “He is already twice as good as Cunha and costs only half of Cunha’s transfer fee. Whoever signs him is getting an upcoming star.” That kind of comparison ramps expectations, but it shows how hungry supporters are for a direct, fearless forward.

Others joked about spending - “When the bag’s heavy, the players pay the price” - a reminder that big tags invite pressure. Another fan summed up the intrigue: “Oh, this just got a whole lot more interesting, didn’t it?” Even an unrelated celebratory line about a Matheus goal popped into the replies, which is typical of how timelines blend hype and tribal pride on busy news days.

Spurs fans are already slotting El Mala into right wing conversations, picturing him attacking the back post on Son’s deliveries. United fans are split - some want a ready-made 20-goal striker, others value pace and pressing IQ to balance the front line. As someone who has lived through dressing-room noise after transfer rumors, I can tell you this: when both sets of fans are debating roles instead of doubting the player, the narrative is trending positive.

Social reactions

When the bag’s heavy, the players pay the price 😂💸

NoToKYC.COM (@NoToKYC)

Oh, this just got a whole lot more interesting, didn’t it?

Yena (@YenaLust)

He is already twice as good as Cunha and costs only half of Cunha’s transfer fee. Whoever signs him is getting an upcoming star.

Avram Glazer (@UTD_MT07)

Prediction

If this turns into a straight sprint, Spurs have the stylistic edge. Their current approach favors vertical runners and quick combinations, and El Mala would walk into minutes on the right or off the left, rotating with Son and offering depth in multiple competitions. Expect a bid with add-ons - think a base around the lower 30s, plus performance triggers and a sell-on clause for Köln.

United will counter by promising a clear pathway to starts and a structured development plan. They can front-load wages more aggressively and include appearance bonuses. The wildcard is Brighton, who liked the player early - a revived, incentivized proposal could re-enter if the price softens or if they secure outgoing sales.

Most likely scenario: Köln engage in a managed auction over the next window, inviting formal offers once personal terms are near agreement. Medicals can be scheduled quickly if the fee framework is agreed. My gut, shaped by years in the game, says the final package lands closer to €35m with achievable add-ons. Edge to Spurs on fit and minutes, but if United press with a clean structure and rapid execution, they can flip it late.

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Conclusion

I like this move for all parties. Köln monetize a valuable asset at a price that reflects both promise and scarcity. Spurs or United get a flexible forward who runs hard without the ball and finishes without fuss - the kind of profile that keeps a team on the front foot from August to May. He is not a headline dribbler for highlight reels every week, but he is the player you notice when your side starts winning second balls higher up and turning them into shots.

For Spurs, he widens the attack and protects legs across a long season. For United, he restores balance in transition and creates lanes for their 9. The fee will spark debate, as all modern fees do, yet the market says this is the cost of speed, youth and pressing intelligence. If the medicals clear and the structure is sensible, I expect this to get done. And once he adapts, you will see the value in his off-ball work before the goals follow.