Europe's elite circle for 16-year-old Hertha Berlin midfielder dubbed 'the next Toni Kroos' as bargain release clause becomes active
Manchester City and Bayern Munich are preparing to trigger a €10-12m release clause for Hertha Berlin's 16-year-old sensation Kennet Eichhorn this summer. The defensive midfielder, already valued at €20m by Transfermarkt, represents one of the most extraordinary bargains in modern football.
The teenager has shattered records across German football this season, becoming the youngest player, youngest starter and youngest DFB Pokal goalscorer in 2. Bundesliga history.
In a transfer market where Championship players routinely cost €15-20m and Premier League squad players fetch €30m+, Eichhorn's release clause represents daylight robbery.
The midfielder has already made 16 appearances for Hertha Berlin this season, displaying the composure and intelligence that earned him comparisons to Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos.
Felix Kroos, brother of Toni and current Union Berlin player, has already endorsed the comparison.
The way he plays is remarkable. He radiates calm, he's gaining valuable experience but is allowed to make mistakes. I hope he continues to develop at Hertha.
Only two 16-year-olds in world football currently hold a €20m valuation: Eichhorn and Arsenal's Max Dowman. The German's regular first-team football at such a young age places him in elite company.
Since August, he's started matches in front of 50,000 supporters at the Olympiastadion, handling the pressure with remarkable maturity despite being younger than most academy players.
Manchester City's interest intensified after Hugo Viana replaced Txiki Begiristain as sporting director. The Portuguese executive has immediately targeted Europe's most technical young talents, with Eichhorn top of his list.
Guardiola sees the teenager as a potential long-term successor to Rodri, offering the same positional intelligence and press resistance that defines City's system.
Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich hold several trump cards in this race. The Bavarians can offer:
The Belgian coach has specifically requested a deep-lying playmaker to complement Joshua Kimmich's more advanced role, making Eichhorn a perfect tactical fit.
The comparison to Toni Kroos isn't merely stylistic. Both players share the same youth development pathway through German academies, the same positional understanding, and crucially, the same ability to control tempo from deep positions.
Kroos himself left Bayern for Real Madrid for just €25m in 2014. A decade later, Eichhorn could move for half that fee despite football's inflated market.
German football's mandatory release clause culture has created a loophole that Europe's super clubs are ruthlessly exploiting. Unlike Spain where clauses often reach astronomical figures, German contracts typically feature realistic buyout options.
Eichhorn's clause contains specific triggers that affect the final fee:
This structure means City or Bayern could secure one of world football's brightest prospects for less than they'd pay for a backup goalkeeper.
Eichhorn's representatives negotiated the clause when he signed his first professional contract at 16. By keeping the figure low, they've guaranteed their client a move to an elite club while he's still a teenager.
Similar clauses have already reshaped German football. Erling Haaland's €60m Dortmund exit clause looked expensive until he moved to City and immediately justified triple that valuation.
The battle for Eichhorn will intensify once Hertha's season concludes in May. Both City and Bayern are expected to trigger the clause immediately when the transfer window opens, leaving the player to choose his destination.
For Hertha Berlin, losing their generational talent for €12m represents a crushing blow to their promotion hopes. For whoever signs him, it could represent the transfer coup of the decade.
The smart money suggests City's financial power and Guardiola's pull will prove decisive, but Bayern's Bundesliga dominance and pathway to immediate first-team football keeps them firmly in contention. This developing story continues to capture attention in the rumour mill as both clubs prepare their moves.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute betting advice.
Kennet Eichhorn has a €10-12m release clause in his Hertha Berlin contract. Both Manchester City and Bayern Munich are preparing to trigger this clause this summer.
The 16-year-old midfielder displays similar composure, intelligence and playing style to Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos. Felix Kroos, Toni's brother, has endorsed this comparison publicly.
Kennet Eichhorn has made 16 appearances for Hertha Berlin this season. He has broken multiple records as the youngest player, starter and DFB Pokal goalscorer in 2. Bundesliga history.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich are the main clubs pursuing Eichhorn. City's new sporting director Hugo Viana has made him a priority target, while Bayern's Vincent Kompany sees him as ideal for their system.
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