To Manchester via Bayer Leverkusen

Last weekend, Kennet Eichhorn scored his first goal in the German 2. Bundesliga and became the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history. Just under three months before turning 17, Eichhorn continues to fill newspaper columns across Europe. Goal after goal, it was somewhat expected that such a wunderkind would eventually start finding the net — even though he is a boy who primarily operates as a defensive midfielder — so the more interesting reasons behind the headlines concern something else entirely. It is not hard to guess: a transfer. Although he is playing his first season in senior football, and although he has so far made only 18 appearances for Hertha BSC, there is little chance that Eichhorn will still be at the Olympic Stadium after June.

Among the clubs linked with him so far are FC Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, as well as Arsenal F.C. and Manchester United F.C.. However, Florian Plettenberg from Sky Germany reported that Manchester City F.C. have also entered the race. According to the well-known transfer insider, City have a detailed development plan for the young Eichhorn. They want to sign him this June and then immediately send him out on loan — specifically to Bayer Leverkusen, with whom they have recently been building a closer relationship thanks to the good rapport between Pep Guardiola and Fernando Carro, Leverkusen’s CEO. That Spanish connection could prove crucial in the deal.

Who'd splash out over €10 million on a 16-year-old? Bayern, United, Madrid, Barca... You name it!

Eichhorn is considered one of the most talented midfielders in the world for his age group, and there is no doubt that Germany’s biggest clubs will fight hard for him — especially since his contract reportedly contains a very attractive release clause set at 12 million euros. Money, therefore, will not be an obstacle even for clubs with less financial power. The decisive factor will be strategy and planning — what each club is willing to offer and promise the talented youngster.