Eichhorn to complete €9m Leverkusen transfer after rejecting Liverpool

Kennet Eichhorn

Bayer Leverkusen have secured one of Germany's brightest young talents after winning a heated race for Hertha Berlin sensation Kennet Eichhorn. The 16-year-old has reportedly passed a medical with the Bundesliga club ahead of a €9m transfer to BayArena, having decided to snub interest from Liverpool and RB Leipzig.

Leverkusen win the race for Eichhorn

Leverkusen are set to complete a major coup by signing wonderkid Eichhorn after deciding to trigger his €9m release clause - per Fabrizio Romano. The 16-year-old, who has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting midfield prospects in Europe with his stellar performances in the 2. Bundesliga for Hertha, will sign a contract until 2031 at BayArena.

Kennet Eichhorn

Big clubs left empty-handed

The news comes as a significant blow to several of Europe's top clubs who had been tracking the teenager's progress closely. Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City were both credited with a strong interest in the midfielder, viewing him as a potential cornerstone for their future projects. However, Eichhorn has prioritised his development within Germany, choosing the project currently being built at Leverkusen. Before the final decision was reached, it was confirmed that Eichhorn had also turned down a move to RB Leipzig.

Financial boost for Hertha

For Hertha, the €9m fee provides a welcome financial boost as they continue to navigate the challenges of the 2. Bundesliga. While the club were desperate to keep hold of their prized asset, the scale of the fee and the player’s desire to test himself in the top flight made the transfer inevitable. The agreement is understood to include various performance-related add-ons and a potential sell-on clause, ensuring that the capital club will benefit further should Eichhorn fulfill his immense potential at Leverkusen.

Kennet Eichhorn Hertha BSC 2026

What comes next?

The acquisition of Eichhorn is a statement of intent for Leverkusen, especially given the lengthy contract involved. By triggering his release clause, Leverkusen have managed to secure a premium talent for a relatively modest fee in today’s market. Eichhorn will be expected to play a key role for his new club in the 2026-27 campaign as they seek to bounce back from a disappointing sixth place finish in the Bundesliga.