Pep Guardiola and Manchester City hatch transfer plan for Bundesliga starlet – Bayern Munich interested | OneFootball

Manchester City are targeting a deal for highly-rated Bundesliga starlet Kennet Eichhorn via the teenager’s release clause, before loaning him back to Germany.

The pursuit of Eichhorn marks a strategic pivot for Manchester City’s recruitment team, now overseen by Sporting Director Hugo Viana, with the Etihad club looking to leverage their relationship with European clubs to secure talents before their market value heightens.

This move follows the club’s successful integration of young continental stars and comes at a time when the first-team squad is currently undergoing another, yet subtle, refresh amid a gruelling title race with Arsenal.

Kennet Eichhorn has been a revelation for Hertha BSC this season, defying his age to become a mainstay in their midfield with his advanced technical security and vision, as well as a physical profile that some could view as suitable to English football.

His profile – a hybrid of a traditional number eight and a modern playmaker – has alerted every major European powerhouse, but Manchester City’s willingness to offer an immediate developmental pathway in Germany could give them the edge.

A Bundesliga battle? The race for Kennet Eichhorn

According to Sky Sports Germany, Kennet Eichhorn plans to leave Hertha BSC this summer, amid strong interest elsewhere within the Bundesliga from the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen.

The latter are claimed to have shown particular interest in the midfielder and are pushing hard, although there is said to be notice taken of the attacking player’s rise from clubs within the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola is said to personally want to bring the youngster to Manchester City, with the idea being for the Etihad Stadium club to purchase the 16-year-old and immediately loan him to Bayer Leverkusen for the 2026/27 season.

Eichhorn remains under contract until 2029, although a release clause will take effect this summer worth between €10 million and €12 million, depending on which league Hertha plays in, the country he moves to, and the competition in which the purchasing club participates in.

Manchester City’s strong Leverkusen bond

The proposal to loan Kennet Eichhorn directly to Bayer Leverkusen is a shrewd piece of business that reflects Manchester City’s long-term tactical planning, as Leverkusen continues to become a suitable home for elite midfielders.

City seemingly believe that a season of high-level development there would prepare the 16-year-old for the physical rigours of the Premier League by 2027, or perhaps a further loan elsewhere in the European game given the player certainly having time on his side.

Speculation is expected to intensify by the time the summer market opens as Eichhorn’s camp weighs up the offer, with Manchester City continuing to future-proof their playing squad well beyond the expected years of Pep Guardiola’s tenure.