Thomas Frank could sign his very own Bukayo Saka as Tottenham eye ‘remarkable’ talent
Tottenham are looking to use the January transfer window as an opportunity to add more flair and ingenuity to their attack.
Thomas Frank’s men have struggled to score goals in the absence of last season’s top scorer, Dominic Solanke, with the Englishman set to return at some point in the New Year.
That is why the Lilywhites have drafted up a shortlist of attackers, including Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who Spurs were linked with during the summer.
Semenyo is available for £65million due to a release clause in his contract, although Manchester City are the strongest contenders to sign the 25-year-old, and Frank could look elsewhere.
Tottenham make approach to sign Said El Mala
Cash was splashed in north London in the last transfer window, most notably the £55m shelled out on Xavi Simons.
The Dutchman has largely struggled since moving to England, but that hasn’t deterred Frank from shopping in the Bundesliga.
Tottenham are in talks to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, Simons’ former club, as well as another teenage sensation.
According to SportBild, Spurs and Manchester United have launched concrete enquiries for FC Cologne starlet Said El Mala.
The report claims that the two Premier League giants would pay between £26m and £35m for the 19-year-old winger, although Cologne have already confirmed that their prized asset will remain in Germany until the end of the season.
El Mala has been in dazzling form in the Bundesliga this term, having already plundered six goals and three assists in 14 appearances.
| Said El Mala’s 2025/26 Bundesliga stats |
| 14 appearances |
| 6 goals |
| 3 assists |
| 69% pass completion |
| 4 big chances created |
| 2 shots per game |
For someone who doesn’t turn 20 until August next year, those returns have caught the eye, and if he continues performing at that rate, his value will skyrocket by the summer.
El Mala has drawn comparisons to Bukayo Saka
According to FBref, Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka is the eighth most statistically similar player to El Mala across Europe’s top five leagues, and there are multiple reasons why.
- El Mala has burst onto the scene as a teenager in a top five league, just like Saka did at Arsenal in 2019
- The Germany under-21 international has been praised for his ability to use both feet, making him unpredictable like Saka
- The two wingers are known for their exceptional dribbling and knack for beating defenders in one-v-one situations
Capable of playing on either flank, El Mala has destroyed Bundesliga defences with his searing pace and incredible decision-making in the final third.
The Cologne youngster even ranks in the top one per cent of wingers across Europe for non-penalty goals per 90, while placing in the top three per cent for shots and the top four per cent for successful take-ons.
El Mala has been hailed as ‘remarkable’ by Cologne sporting director Thomas Kessler, and Spurs fans would surely love to see his talents in the Premier League.
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