Liverpool has been linked to Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kennet Eichhorn, but he's reportedly snubbed a move to Anfield
14:24, 10 Jun 2026
BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 02: Kennet Eichhorn of Hertha BSC celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the DFB Cup round of 16 match between Hertha BSC and 1. FC Kaiserslautern at Olympiastadion on December 02, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
Kennet Eichhorn has agreed to a transfer after turning down a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Kennet Eichhorn will be on the move this summer, with Bayer Leverkusen having won the race for his signature after the German wonderkid turned down a move to Liverpool.
The 16-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to Anfield, despite rules blocking English clubs from signing players under the age of 18 from elsewhere in Europe following Brexit.
Liverpool was claimed to have held “concrete talks” with the teenager, who has built a reputation as one of the most exciting talents in Germany after his breakthrough season for Hertha Berlin, having made 19 senior appearances and attracting interest from a host of clubs across the continent.
It emerged on Tuesday, though, that Eichhorn had decided against a move to England, despite Liverpool having reportedly made the “most attractive” offer of the clubs interested, both from a financial point of view and in terms of the club’s stature.
Eichhorn will stay in Germany now, but he will still be on the move this summer, with The Athletic revealing that Leverkusen has won the race for the highly coveted youngster.
The pursuit was led by Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rolfes and director of football Kim Falkenberg, with the pair said to have worked “under the radar” in order to secure the teenager’s signature.
Kennet Eichhorn (Hertha Berlin) looks on during the DFB Pokal match between Hertha Berlin and 1. Kaiserslautern at Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany on December 2, 2025. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Eichhorn has turned down the chance to join Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
The signing is seen as a significant coup in Germany, given the caliber of some of the clubs linked. Leverkusen will activate a release clause in Eichhorn’s contract, which is due to expire on June 15.
That clause has been reported to be worth around $10.4 million (€9M), although there have been claims that Eichhorn’s camp is seeking a further $11.6 million (€10M) as a signing-on fee.
Liverpool had reportedly been in “pole position” for the young midfielder until recently, leading the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
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Eichhorn’s decision not to join the Reds will come as a disappointment for Liverpool, with the club having already made a number of moves with a clear eye on the long-term future.
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Jeremy Jacquet will, of course, complete his move from Rennes this summer and join up with Andoni Iraola’s senior side, but the Reds will also have Ifeanyi Ndukwe arriving from Austria Wien as well, with the 18-year-old defender linking up with the club’s academy.
Seventeen-year-old attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez also looks set to join Liverpool from Colombian side Atletico Nacional.