Manchester City have officially entered the race to sign the Bundesliga’s most exciting young winger, with manager Josep Guardiola personally impressed by FC Köln prodigy Said El Mara, according to Sky Sports Germany.
The report claims that City scouts have attended several matches in Cologne in recent weeks to monitor the 19-year-old’s rapid development.
El Mara has been one of Germany’s best young players this season, praised for his explosive dribbling, creativity in tight spaces and ability to work across the front line.
His performances not only drew praise from manager Guardiola, but also the interest of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, two clubs known for aggressively pursuing top domestic talent.
Man City are in a race to the top to sign Saeed El Mara
However, for Bundesliga hopefuls, completing a transfer can be far more complicated than for their Premier League counterparts.
Earlier this year, FC Köln made a decisive move to secure the future of their rising star, signing El Mara to a long-term contract until 2030.
As a result, the club are said to be asking around €40 million, which is considered to be high, although not unattainable, for Europe’s big clubs.
Despite the growing interest, El Mara is reportedly in no hurry to leave Cologne. Sky reports that talks between the winger’s representatives and the club are scheduled for the winter, with both parties prepared to carefully assess his next steps.
Guardiola is a fan of wingers
Cologne see El Mara as a pillar of their rebuilding project and are reluctant to let him go unless they receive a substantial offer.
El Mara fits Guardiola’s vision of a dynamic wide player who combines technical precision and one-on-one quality.
Meanwhile, Bayern and Dortmund consider him a natural fit for their youth-led recruitment philosophy, but Cologne’s strong stance and price could put them out of contention.
Report: Man City target German star as Guardiola eyes defensive competition
