Overview
- Reports on Saturday say Borussia Dortmund plans to submit an improved offer early next week that would total about €50 million when bonuses are included.
- Köln rejected Dortmund’s previous proposal of roughly €37m plus €8m in bonuses and has pressed for a €50m fixed fee, making payment structure the key sticking point.
- Dortmund has set an internal limit at about €50m and is reportedly proposing a mix of guaranteed cash and conditional add-ons rather than one fixed sum.
- Player and coaching figures back the move: Said El Mala is said to prefer Dortmund, Niko Kovac has spoken with him, and Germany coach Jürgen Klopp is reported to favor the transfer.
- Köln sporting director Thomas Kessler says there is a range in which the club will talk but that an agreement is not assured, leaving Dortmund to weigh alternatives if talks fail.