Bayern’s Freund Hails Köln Teen Said El Mala as Barcelona Reportedly Tracks €30 Million Target

The 19-year-old winger is being evaluated for development minutes with Germany’s U21s.

Overview

Ssporting director Christoph Freund praised El Mala’s pace and progress and said he could help Germany, while declining to discuss any transfer plans.
Diario SPORT reports Barcelona are monitoring El Mala, with Köln’s price said to be around €30 million.
Transfermarkt currently lists El Mala’s valuation at €18 million at age 19.
El Mala scored 14 goals on loan at Viktoria Köln last season and has four goals and two assists in ten matches since returning to Köln.
He left Germany’s senior camp to join the U21s to get match time against Georgia, a move described as planned rather than punitive.