Bayer Leverkusen close to winning race for Hertha prodigy Kennet Eichhorn (16)

Bayer Leverkusen appear poised to beat Europe’s elite to the signature of 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn, with Sky Germany reporting that advanced talks have already taken place between the Bundesliga club and the player’s representatives. The Berlin-born teenager, who has been earmarked for departure from boyhood club Hertha BSC this summer, carries a release clause understood to be in the region of €12 million.

Eichhorn’s stock has soared since making his first-team debut for Hertha this season; market estimations have nearly quadrupled from €6 million to €20 million in a matter of months, underlining the rapid rise of a prospect courted by Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. Bayern Munich have also entered discussions, dangling the lure of their renowned campus facilities, yet Leverkusen believe they have presented the most persuasive project.

Central to the Werkself pitch is the precedent set last summer when Leverkusen prised attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza away from the capital club. While Maza has begun integrating into the senior set-up, Eichhorn is not expected to follow an identical path. The Germany youth international is currently rehabilitating a syndesmotic ankle injury and, as part of the proposed deal, would be loaned back to Hertha for the 2026-27 campaign to continue gaining senior minutes in the 2. Bundesliga.

From Eichhorn’s standpoint, the arrangement offers continuity—he retains familiar surroundings for another season—while simultaneously aligning with a club renowned for polishing young talents. Whether the teenager opts for an immediate decision or prolongs the suspense, Leverkusen have moved to the front of the queue in one of this summer’s most closely watched transfer races.