Milan are ready to move for Köln forward Said El Mala should Borussia Dortmund fail to meet the German club's asking price, according to Express.de.
The Rossoneri's interest is conditional, which tells you plenty about how the situation stands. Dortmund are the frontrunners, and Milan are positioned behind them, waiting to see whether the deal collapses before committing to anything.
The figure Köln want is clear. Express.de report that Dortmund have been told to put €50m fixed plus €5m in bonuses on the table, and if that offer arrives, Köln will not block the Germany U21 international's departure. That is the price of entry, and it sets the terms for anyone else circling.
Should Dortmund back down or pull out altogether, El Mala would still have a route abroad, with Milan named as the club considering the swoop. The 19-year-old scored 13 Bundesliga goals last season, a return that explains the level of the fee and the competition for his signature.
This would not be the first time the two clubs have gone head to head for the same profile. Milan and Dortmund both chased Konstantinos Karetsas, the left-footed playmaker who ended up joining the Germans from Genk and marked his debut with a fine goal against Arsenal.
The obstacle for Milan is the same one that shapes most of their summer. Serious money for a player at El Mala's price point depends on sales first, and while there are plenty of candidates for the exit door, the clock is against them, with under three weeks left to move players on and finish assembling the squad.
For now, El Mala's future runs through Dortmund, and Milan's move only becomes real if that deal falls apart.