Who'd splash out over €10 million on a 16-year-old? Bayern, United, Madrid, Barca... You name it!
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 20.02.26. | 21:42
A number of European giants have gone wild about Hertha Berlin teenage midfielder Kennet Eichhorn - already dubbed the "new Toni Kroos"
The next big player in German football could, believe it or not, come from the ranks of its second-tier side, Hertha Berlin. His name is Kennet Eichhorn, he is 16, and numerous European giants have gone wild about him, willing to splash out over €10 million for his transfer!
But what's so special about this teenage midfielder?
It could be his intelligence, composure, fantastic play organization, creativity, sense of the game, calmness under pressure... Whatever it is, it must be top-notch, given the number and reputation of interested parties (according to BILD): Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen...
At the same time, whatever it is, it was good enough for Hertha to make him the youngest-ever debutant in Bundesliga 2 (at 16 years and 14 days old), the youngest scorer in the DFB Pokal (German Cup), breaking Jude Bellingham's record, the youngest scorer in the club's history (16 years and 128 days), and its key player.
And finally, whatever it is, it was enough for the Germans to dub him the "new Toni Kroos" - a nickname not given lightly.
The boy has been at Hertha ever since he was 8, and everyone at the club is fond of him, but one day, he'll most likely have to leave. That day didn't come during the recently finished transfer window, as the Berlin club rejected Bayern's "attacks" on the youngster. But next June, the number of "attackers" will be much larger, and the options for Eichhorn will be much wider.
🚨🆕 Kennet #Eichhorn has definitely not made a decision about his future yet. Neither whether he wants to move, nor where he would go.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 19, 2026
All top clubs in Europe (FC Bayern and RB Leipzig included as revealed) are currently on alert and competing for the 16 y/o super talent.… pic.twitter.com/xcAwc9RCsi
The fact that he has a €10-12 million release clause makes things significantly easier for all the teams knocking on Hertha and their gem's door.
This season, Eichhorn played 15 games (13 as a starter) and scored one goal, before suffering an ankle injury a month ago, which will keep him sidelined for some time and undoubtedly slow down his development.
But still, it won't make much of a difference for the European elite. The only question is whether the teenager wants to leave the German capital soon and, if so, whose ranks he'd like to join.
Bundesliga Round 23
Friday
22.30: (2.20) Mainz (3.50) Hamburger (3.45)
Saturday
17.30: (1.15) Bayern (10.5) Eintr.Frankfurt (15.0)
17.30: (3.35) Koln (3.75) Hoffenheim (2.15)
17.30: (2.95) Union Berlin (3.35) Leverkusen (2.40)
17.30: (2.10) Wolfsburg (3.65) Augsburg (3.60)
20.30: (2.25) RB Leipzig (3.70) Dortmund (3.20)
Sunday
17.30: (2.00) Freiburg (3.70) M' gladbach (3.85)
18.30: (2.75) St.Pauli (3.00) Werder (2.85)
21.30: (4.50) Heidenheim (4.00) Stuttgart (1.75)
***odds are subject to change***