Insider: Man Utd ready to sabotage Bayern Munich plans for ‘astonishing’ 16-year-old midfielder | OneFootball

Manchester United have reportedly joined Bayern Munich and others in the race for coveted Hertha Berlin teenager Kennet Eichhorn.

The 16-year-old was born and raised on the outskirts of Berlin, so he ended up joining the ranks of Hertha Berlin at a tender age.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

The midfielder has been enjoying a meteoric rise to stardom, earning a promotion to the first team last summer. The teenager is already a regular starter at the second-division German club.

Man Utd will try to overtake Bayern Munich in the race for Kennet Eichhorn

In his latest column for CF Bayern Insider, reputable German journalist Christian Falk provided the latest updates on Eicchorn’s future.

The holding midfielder has been tipped to join Bayern Munich, as is often the case with the most promising young talents in German football.

Nevertheless, Falk, who is widely considered the most reliable source when it comes to the Bavarian club’s news, reveals that the Bundesliga champions are facing stern competition from the Premier League, particularly from Arsenal and Man Utd.

“He’s so good, in fact, that Bayern are determined not to lose him to a rival (domestic or otherwise),” wrote Falk

“Other clubs are, of course, focusing on him; Arsenal, Manchester United and some other Premier League clubs are among them.”

Falk also mentions that Eichhorn’s contract includes a release clause, which should facilitate the player’s exit. However, it remains to be seen which suitor is going to offer him the most appealing project.

Is Eichhorn ready for Premier League football?

Interestingly, Falk adds that Bayern wouldn’t mind missing out on the teenager in favour of another German, as they’re confident they have the means to prise him away in the coming years. However, if the player ends up signing for a Premier League club, he will be out of their grasp, so this is the scenario the Bavarians fear most.

As for Man Utd, it remains unclear what their plan is for Eichhorn, whom they have been pursuing for a while.

Kennet Eichhorn of Germany U17 challenges Jo Pimenta of Luxembourg U17. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images for DFB)

Although the midfielder will only turn 17 in July, he’s already accustomed to senior-level football. Therefore, dropping him back to the academy level could be a step back in his development process. On the other hand, thrusting him into the Premier League might be too soon.

However, Eichhorn has been widely praised for the maturity and composure he has been displaying at Hertha Berlin.

“What the lad can do is astonishing. Clear-headed, not at all arrogant. I’m sure Hertha will get a lot of enjoyment out of him.” said Hertha’s veteran defender, Tony Leistner.

Man Utd’s youth squads are already brimming with young talents keen to make the step-up to the first team, the likes of Jake and Tyler Fletcher, Shea Lacey, Godwill Kukonki, Jim Thwaites, and not mention the academy’s jewel, 15-year-old JJ Gabriel.