Liverpool’s summer transfer activity is showing no signs of slowing down, with the Reds now reportedly planning a formal approach for a highly rated Bundesliga winger as they look to build a squad capable of competing under Andoni Iraola next season.
The move is being driven by the club’s ongoing difficulty in landing their primary wide target.
Yan Diomande remains the dream option, but RB Leipzig have made it abundantly clear they are in no hurry to sell, reportedly demanding a Bundesliga record fee of around £128 million for the Ivory Coast international, a figure that has complicated Liverpool’s pursuit significantly.
With that deal stalling, Liverpool have now identified a more attainable alternative and are preparing to make their interest official.
According to German outlet FussballDaten, that alternative is Said El Mala, the 19 year old winger who took the Bundesliga by storm last season with FC Koln.
“Behind this formidable continental race, another global heavyweight awaits: Liverpool.”
“The English top club wants to rejuvenate its attack and achieve a first-class squad rotation.”
“Liverpool plans to officially approach El Mala depending on the progress of its primary transfer targets.”
“Particularly in the event of potential difficulties or a stall in the Diomande transfer, there is strong speculation that the Merseyside club could knock on Cologne’s door and provide a substantial budget for the young star, whom they consider an important Plan B.”
Born in Krefeld on August 26, 2006, to a German mother and Lebanese father, El Mala stands at 1.87 metres and operates primarily as a wide attacker, capable of playing on either flank or as an attacking midfielder.
His pace, direct dribbling, composed finishing, and trademark long range solo goals have made him one of the most talked about young players in European football this summer.
His numbers from the 2025/26 Bundesliga season underline the hype.
El Mala scored 13 goals and registered 5 assists across 34 league appearances, not missing a single game.
He became only the fourth teenager in Köln’s history to reach ten league goals for the club, following in the footsteps of Lukas Podolski, Pierre Littbarski, and Dieter Müller, and was ranked the sixth youngest player in Bundesliga history to reach that milestone.
Across his entire senior career so far, he has 27 goals in 81 appearances.
He also scored a stunning solo effort against Manuel Neuer and Bayern Munich on the final day of the season, a goal that captured the imagination of scouts across the continent.
His rise from rejected academy prospect to Bundesliga standout has been rapid.
Released by Borussia Mönchengladbach at age 14, he rebuilt his career through TSV Meerbusch and Viktoria Köln, where he scored 13 goals in 32 third division matches and was named 3. Liga Newcomer of the Season.
He has also represented Germany at under-21 level and was the top scorer at the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, earning a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Köln are holding firm on a valuation of around 50 million euros, having already turned down a complex Borussia Dortmund approach that included a 35 million euro fee plus loan players.
Brentford’s pursuit also collapsed earlier this summer, partly due to complications surrounding El Mala’s family representatives, who are keen for clubs to consider signing his older brother Malek, also at Köln.
Liverpool face competition from Tottenham, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest, meaning they will need to move quickly if they want to get the deal done.