A host of Premier League clubs including Liverpool have been linked with Hertha Berlin wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn, who's burst onto the scene this season at the tender age of 16
Kennet Eichhorn
Kennet Eichhorn is a rising star - and has been linked with a move to Liverpool
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Liverpool are said to have joined the race to sign teenage prodigy Kennet Eichhorn after Hertha Berlin indicated that he's available for £17 million. Eichhorn, 16, is generating a buzz in the German capital after making his first-team debut this season and nailing down a regular place for Hertha.
Featuring eight times in Bundesliga 2, the midfielder's breakout campaign has prompted reported interest from Anfield. With the January transfer window fast approaching for Arne Slot's side, a number of Premier League rivals are also keen, as are multiple European giants.
It's claimed that Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Eichhorn live. That's in addition to representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen.
German outlet Bild, via Mundo Deportivo, report that Hertha have made it clear that they'd be willing to accept an offer in the region of €20m (£17m). That price could even go up before January, such is Eichhorn's rapid rise.
"He is an incredible, exceptional talent," team-mate Fabian Reese said after the teenager made his debut. "If he continues like this, all doors will be open to him. I have rarely seen anyone so talented at that age. He has a huge career ahead of him.
Hertha boss Stefan Leitl echoed those comments, adding: "I couldn't care less whether he's 16 or 17. He's a huge talent for Hertha. In many of his actions, you could see what we might be seeing from him in the coming years. I'm completely convinced of his abilities; he did a great job."
Due to his style of play, Eichhorn has drawn parallels with former Germany international Toni Kroos and he also captains his country at under-17 level. But Felix Kroos, Toni's younger brother, has told him to reject a move away in the foreseeable future.
Toni Kroos
Former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid star Toni Kroos is the gold standard for modern German midfielders
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Appearing on RTL, he said: "That's the beauty of football: there isn't one right path, no magic formula. Still, Eichhorn, at 16, is a special case and should remain in his familiar environment.
"That's what brought him to where he is now. A move to Bayern or [Borussia] Dortmund in the next two to four years would be too early. I hope he develops at Hertha for a few more years. Ultimately, you can't plan anything in football.
"If it goes well and Eichhorn stays another two or three years, those six million (euros) could become 60 million. That would be even better for the books in Berlin. And with the sums circulating today, six million is too little anyway.
He went on to say: "The way Eichhorn plays is remarkable. He radiates calm, gains valuable experience, and is allowed to make mistakes. He has the quality, yet he will sometimes sit out. You have to give such a young player a break because it's a lot for the mind."
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