“Flood of false information!” What Book says about the saga surrounding El Mala

Nils-Ole Book

There are constant updates on Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Cologne shooting star El Mala. You should not believe everything, says Book.

"I’m pleased that we at BVB are keeping ranks closed so that nothing else gets out, because the sheer volume of false information over the past few days has really been quite remarkable," Book told Sky on the sidelines of Dortmund's friendly in Düsseldorf on Saturday.

Since taking over as BVB sporting director in March, Book has already faced questions over the club's push to sign El Mala. His line has been clear: "we do not comment on players who are not Borussia Dortmund players."

By "false information", Book is likely referring to the many different figures doing the rounds over the runners-up's documented interest in Cologne's top scorer from last season.

Sky report a BVB package with a base fee of €26 million as well as up to €16 million in bonus payments, although only half of that is said to be realistically achievable. According to Bild , however, the bid was a fixed €34 million plus €6 million in bonuses.

Cologne, meanwhile, are said to want €50 million for the 19-year-old. At FC, who are currently at a training camp in Kitzbühel together with El Mala, the mood is said to be relaxed despite the flood of reports and "still not well disposed towards Borussia", Geissblog writes, after they had rejected an initial BVB offer as financially insufficient and had been unimpressed by Dortmund's conduct.