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Liverpool appear poised to miss out on 16-year-old midfielder Kennet Eichhorn this summer, despite putting forward a more lucrative financial package than any other interested club.
Premier League rivals Manchester City also seem to have lost the race for the Hertha BSC starlet, with reports indicating he is expected to make his next move to Bayer Leverkusen instead.
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Berlin-born Eichhorn broke into the senior setup with hometown club Hertha last season, featuring 17 times in the 2. Bundesliga—a tally that would likely have been considerably higher had an ankle injury not ruled him out from late January through late March.
With Hertha heading into a fourth consecutive season outside Germany's top division, the moment has arrived for Eichhorn to seek a move that better serves his development.
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Sky Sport Germany reports that Eichhorn has actively rejected the opportunity to join Liverpool, despite being "aggressively pursued" by the 2024–25 English champions. The Reds were prepared to offer the youngster more money than any German club could match, yet "sporting development" has driven his decision to stay in his home country and sign for Leverkusen.
Manchester City are believed to have been turned down for the same reasons. It is understood that both English clubs intended to sign Eichhorn and send him to Leverkusen on loan for the coming season—players cannot be transferred internationally outside the E.U. before turning 18. However, Leverkusen had different plans and preferred to acquire the talent on a permanent basis for themselves.
According to The Athletic, Leverkusen will trigger a release clause written into Eichhorn's Hertha contract, paving the way for a deal to be completed shortly. Several other "top clubs" in Germany were also tracking the U17 international, making it a "significant coup" for Leverkusen. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, both of whom can offer Champions League football in 2026–27, are specifically named by Sky.
Kennet Eichhorn Chooses Clearer Pathway
Opting for Bayer Leverkusen, following persuasive conversations with senior figures Simon Rolfes and Kim Falkenberg, represents a cautious yet potentially shrewd decision for Eichhorn.
Leverkusen remain a formidable German club with strong ambitions and European football on the horizon. The club is also widely recognised for its family-oriented culture and genuine commitment to nurturing young talent, while often flying somewhat under the radar compared to the likes of Dortmund or Leipzig.
Eichhorn could have chosen Liverpool or Manchester City and still found himself playing for Leverkusen next season—the expectation is that the 6'1" midfielder, who has drawn comparisons to Sergio Busquets, will be thrust straight into Bundesliga action—but would then have faced the uncertainty of competing within either Premier League club's far more stacked squad upon turning 18 in July 2027.
Failing to land Eichhorn changes little in the immediate term for Liverpool or Manchester City. However, should his development continue on its current upward trajectory, recruiting the German at a later stage will come at a significantly steeper price than it would have now.