Brighton have reportedly joined the race to sign 16-year-old Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn, as they prepare for life without Carlos Baleba, following his links to Manchester United.
The German teenager is considered one of Europe’s most exciting youngsters, already making 10 senior appearances in the Bundesliga 2 and DFB Pokal this season and receiving a call-up to Germany’s Under-17s in September.
According to TEAMtalk, Brighton are involved in a ‘high-stakes’ battle for his signature with Europe’s most elite clubs. The list of suitors includes the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Arsenal.
RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, and Tottenham are also said to be in the mix.
The young midfielder stands at 6’1” tall, and his eye for a pass and maturity defensively has seen him earn plenty of plaudits in German – and he is expected to be available for a cut-price fee. Eichhorn has a low release clause worth just £10.5million, though it is tiered by suitor.
Those competing in the Premier League and/or Champions League will have to pay the full fee, whilst domestic Bundesliga rivals are expected to have the chance to acquire his services for a lesser amount and secure a bargain.
It’s been said that the German charge is being led by Bayern and Leipzig, with the latter viewing him as the next big ‘raw and relentless’ name in German football.
With the winter transfer window moving closer, the Hertha hierarchy are bracing themselves for approaches, with the player himself dreaming of Ballon d’Or glory and holding all the cards on where his future lies.
It remains to be seen whether Brighton table an offer for Eichhorn and look to steal a march on their rivals as the transfer battle plays out over the coming weeks, or if the prospect of competing for trophies at one of Europe’s elite outfits is too good to turn down for the teenager.