Borussia Dortmund are hot on the heels of FC Koln's highly rated youngster Said El Mala, so much so that they are reportedly preparing a club record offer worth 50 million euros this week.
If accepted, it would make the 19-year-old their most expensive signing in history, surpassing the previous record held by Ousmane Dembele (30 million euros) for a decade.
An expert dribbler with a keen eye for goal and blessed with electric pace, El Mala turned heads with his meteoric rise with the Billy Goats last season.
He netted 13 times in the Bundesliga and teed up five more as the Krefeld-born winger helped the side avoid relegation and retain top-flight status.
Several European clubs were said to be interested in the young gun but the BVB are the clear frontrunners right now. Here are the winners and losers if El Mala transfer comes to pass:
Winner: Konstantinos Karetsas
The player who'd stand to benefit the most from El Mala's arrival is his fellow summer signing, Konstantinos Karetsas. That's because the former's pace and directness on the left would allow Karetsas to operate more freely from his preferred No.10 role, or even attack from the right, complimenting each other perfectly. This would give Dortmund's attack a completely new dimension and perhaps make them look more ruthless going forward, banishing last season's criticisms of ponderous and prosaic plays once and for all.
Loser: Maximilian Beier
The Germany international would stand to lose a lot if El Mala deal goes through, for Beier has been vying for a consistent starting berth this season after flashes of brilliance in his largely substitute role last term.
With Yan Couto leaving for Como, a space had opened up for him and Kovac played Beier as their left wing-back in the last two friendlies as experiment. Regardless of how it's worked, the 23-year-old will be left competing for consistent gametime again in wide attacking positions if El Mala arrives.
Winner: Serhou Guirassy
A serious threat from the left side of Dortmund's attacking vanguard would provide Guirassy with reliable service to bank on. El Mala's direct runs in the half space would attract defenders towards him, creating space for Guirassy to receive a pass or a cross inside the box. Given his devastating finishing skills, that's exactly what the Guinean ace needs to return to his best after witnessing a patchy form last term that saw him finish with 16 goals fewer than what Guirassy managed in his maiden campaign with BVB.
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