Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have been warned against a hasty big-money swoop for Cologne’s highly-rated teenager Said El Mala, with figures in German football suggesting he may not yet be ready for the step up to a Premier League heavyweight.
The 19-year-old has had a breakout season in the Bundesliga, establishing himself as one of Germany’s most exciting young attacking prospects. His form has drawn growing interest from across Europe, with several English clubs said to be tracking him closely ahead of the summer window.
Tottenham’s admiration for El Mala is nothing new — their interest first emerged back in January — and recent reports suggest Spurs could revisit a deal as De Zerbi continues building a younger, more dynamic squad capable of competing at the top level. But as competition heats up, a well-connected Bundesliga source has questioned whether a move to one of England’s giants is really the right next step for the teenager.
Liverpool have also entered the picture after hitting obstacles in their pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, with El Mala reportedly among the alternatives the Reds are weighing up. German journalist Christian Falk, however, believes the Cologne winger is still a work in progress and may lack the consistency and experience to make an instant impact somewhere like Liverpool. Falk argues El Mala clearly has the talent to reach the Premier League eventually, but that a direct jump to a title contender could come too soon — while praising his ceiling, he cautioned against drawing comparisons to more established young stars or expecting immediate returns.
That’s a point Tottenham may want to heed too. Spurs have made clear through their recent business that they intend to challenge the league’s top sides in the years ahead, and investing in elite young talent fits that vision — but spending close to £35 million on a player who may still need real development represents a genuine risk.
Adding to the intrigue, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United are also reportedly keeping tabs on the German forward, setting up a potential scramble if Cologne opt to sell this summer. With interest rising, the Bundesliga club are said to value him at around €40 million (£34.5 million).
For Tottenham, it comes down to weighing potential against immediate impact. El Mala has the pace, flair and creativity to develop into a top-level Premier League player, but whether he can deliver right away is still up for debate. With Liverpool, Newcastle and Forest all said to be monitoring him, Spurs may soon have to choose between backing his long-term upside or pursuing a more ready-made alternative.
The race for El Mala is heating up — but the latest word out of Germany suggests whoever lands him may be buying into potential rather than a guaranteed hit in the Premier League.
