Ricken provides insight into Dortmund's El Mala pursuit
| Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images |
Borussia Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken has hinted that the Black and Yellows are unlikely to increase their current offer for Said El Mala – reportedly worth €48 million plus €7 million in bonuses – by much, if at all.
“I think we really fight for every euro,” Ricken told reporters on Sunday when asked about Dortmund’s interest in the 1. FC Köln attacker.
He pointed to the recent signing of Konstantinos Karetsas as an example. The Black and Yellows eventually managed to bring the 18-year-old to Germany for €32 million, despite KRC Genk reportedly demanding as much as €40 million at one point.
“We first met in April, and we only completed the deal recently because it is important to us to operate in a financially sensible way,” Ricken said about the Karetsas deal.
“Because we have done that in recent years and have also made savings in one area or another, particularly when it comes to squad costs, that gives us room to act. We have to make the right decision both from a sporting and financial perspective,” he added.
Ricken did not want to go into too much detail regarding El Mala, pointing out that he is “still a player of 1. FC Köln.”
“It is simply a matter of respect that we at Borussia Dortmund do not talk about other players,” he said.
“That unfortunately sometimes leads to supposed news stories appearing. The day before yesterday, we were sitting in the office thinking: ‘Look what we have supposedly done again.’ We just have to put up with that a little.”
Should a deal for El Mala ultimately fail to materialise, Dortmund are prepared to switch their focus elsewhere.
“We still have many ideas. The transfer window is only just getting started in many other markets, and in the end we will see what the best solution for Borussia Dortmund is,” Ricken said.
