Ricken Hints at More BVB Transfers Amid El Mala Speculation
Lars Ricken discusses Borussia Dortmund's transfer plans, including interest in Said El Mala, following a successful Asian tour.
The transfer rumors surrounding Borussia Dortmund have been intensifying in recent weeks. Lars Ricken, the club's sporting director, recently addressed the potential for further signings, with a particular focus on coveted player Said El Mala.
In a positive turn of events for Borussia Dortmund, the team concluded their Asian tour with a victory, defeating FC Tokyo 1-0 thanks to a goal from Fabio Silva. Following the match, Ricken spoke to the media, shedding light on the club's transfer activities.
BVB Aims for More Signings After Karetsas
Ricken emphasized that the primary goal was to compensate for player departures. "Our aim was to address the losses effectively. We believe we have succeeded with Joane Gadou and, hopefully, Konstantinos Karetsas as well," he stated. The signing of Gadou, who joined from RB Salzburg for nearly 20 million euros, was officially announced before the transfer window even opened.
Reports indicate that Dortmund will pay around 32 million euros for Karetsas, who is set to take over the role previously held by Julian Brandt. Ricken noted that both players meet the club's expectations for this transfer window, describing them as individuals who can "immediately contribute while also possessing significant development potential."
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Ricken also made it clear that the club's transfer plans are far from complete, hinting that there may still be more signings on the horizon. Said El Mala remains a top target for the team. The German international has been the subject of BVB's interest for weeks, but 1. FC Köln is reportedly holding out for a transfer fee of 50 million euros.
Ricken Remains Tight-Lipped on El Mala
When pressed about El Mala, Ricken refrained from providing specifics, simply stating that the player is not currently part of Borussia Dortmund. The question remains: how long will that be the case? El Mala himself is reportedly eager to join BVB, yet Köln holds all the cards at the moment, as the 19-year-old is under contract until 2030.
