Bayern Munich are reportedly stepping up their interest in Hertha Berlin prodigy Kennet Eichhorn, one of Germany’s most exciting young midfield talents, according to exclusive reports from Bavarian Football Works.
The 16-year-old has already caught the eye of several top European clubs, with RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund leading the domestic chase, while multiple Premier League sides – understood to include Manchester City and Liverpool – are also monitoring his progress closely. Bayern view Eichhorn as a potential long-term replacement in midfield, particularly if senior players like Leon Goretzka depart the Allianz Arena in the coming transfer windows. Goretzka’s contract is set to expire in 2027, and talks over an extension have yet to reach a breakthrough.
Eichhorn, who has been a standout performer for Hertha’s U17 and U19 teams, has also trained with the senior squad on occasion this season, with head coach Pal Dardai praising his maturity beyond his years. The Berlin native is known for his technical ability, vision and composure on the ball – traits that align with Bayern’s playing philosophy under Thomas Tuchel. Standing at 5’11”, he is comfortable operating as a deep-lying playmaker or in an advanced midfield role, and has registered 8 goals and 12 assists in 21 matches across Hertha’s youth teams this campaign.
His performances have not gone unnoticed at international level either, with Germany’s U17 setup calling him up for their latest training camp last month. Sources close to the German FA describe him as “one of the brightest prospects to emerge from the Berlin football scene in a decade”.
Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund is believed to have personally scouted Eichhorn on three separate occasions this season, and the club has already made an initial approach to Hertha Berlin to discuss the possibility of a transfer. While Hertha are keen to keep hold of their star asset, they acknowledge that retaining him long-term may prove difficult given the financial gap between the capital club and Bayern, as well as the allure of playing for Germany’s most successful team.
However, the big question remains whether the teenager will receive enough playing time at Bayern due to strong competition in midfield. With established stars like Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and recent signings such as Tom Bischof already in the ranks, Eichhorn could face a battle to break into the first team if he makes the move to Bavaria. Bayern’s track record with young talents is mixed – while Musiala has become a global superstar, others like Chris Richards and Michael Cuisance struggled to cement regular spots before moving on.
To address these concerns, Bayern is understood to be preparing a structured development plan for Eichhorn, which could include a loan spell back at Hertha Berlin for at least one season after signing, or regular opportunities with their reserve team in the 3. Liga. This approach mirrors the one they took with Tom Bischof, who spent the first half of this season integrating with the squad before making his Bundesliga debut in November.
Hertha Berlin are said to be holding out for a transfer fee in the region of €8-10 million, plus significant add-ons based on appearances and achievements, as well as a sell-on clause. With multiple clubs ready to meet those terms, Bayern will need to act quickly if they are to secure Eichhorn’s signature ahead of their rivals.
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