Dortmund's pursuit of Köln's El Mala breaks down as Bayern confirm Nathaniel Brown
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Borussia Dortmund's move for 1. FC Köln forward Said El Mala has stalled, with Köln rejecting a bid reported at €26m plus €16m in add-ons and declaring talks over, according to Goal. Köln are said to value the young winger at around €50m, and Dortmund are reported to be stepping back for now; El Mala, contracted to Köln through 2030, is said to be open to the move, so the story may yet reopen.
Bayern Munich confirmed the signing of Germany left-back Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported €55m, with the 22-year-old penning a five-year deal to 2031, according to Bundesliga.com. A starter for Germany at the World Cup, Brown follows Ismael Saibari into Vincent Kompany's squad and stands as the club's marquee summer addition so far.
Transfer and squad notes
Xaver Schlager left RB Leipzig for Nottingham Forest on a free transfer after his contract expired, with the Austria midfielder signing a two-year deal and reuniting with coach Oliver Glasner, per beIN Sports. Leipzig lose their vice-captain and a four-season regular, a notable departure even without a fee attached.
Mainz moved toward signing Silas Katompa Mvumpa from Stuttgart, with the clubs reported to have agreed a low fee — a low-six-figure sum that could rise toward €1m if Mainz avoid relegation — according to Get German Football News, citing Sky. The Congolese attacker had been on loan at Mainz earlier in the year; treat the deal as agreed rather than officially completed.
Bayern remain open to selling João Palhinha, with Benfica weighing a loan featuring a purchase option and the Portuguese midfielder said to be outside Kompany's plans, per Yahoo Sports. Bayern are reported to be seeking around €25m, though wage costs are described as a sticking point, so the move stays unconfirmed.
What it means for the league
Bayern continue to set the window's pace, banking Brown after Saibari while clearing fringe names such as Palhinha, underlining a reshape rather than a rebuild in Munich. Dortmund's failed El Mala approach exposes the gap between buyers' valuations and Köln's asking price, while Leipzig absorb the loss of an experienced leader in Schlager. With clubs like Mainz shopping in the value bracket and the window open until August 31, further movement is likely before the season opens.