Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen will reportedly go head-to-head for the signing of Hertha Berlin talent Kennet Eichhorn.
As he is only 16, the Reds are unable to sign Eichhorn outright this summer, but are claimed to have been making plans for his arrival regardless.
They had been expected to face competition from some of Germany’s biggest clubs for one of the country’s most exciting prospects, but according to Sport BILD, the size of the teenager’s agent fees have put off everyone but Liverpool and Leverkusen.
Rate Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool appointment! Would any other manager have been a better pick?
Liverpool and Leverkusen are the options for Eichhorn
Liverpool have already got the better of Leverkusen once this summer, with the Reds interrupting their talks with Andoni Iraola to swoop in and appoint him as their new head coach.
But if the 2024 Bundesliga champions were hoping to get some revenge on Liverpool in the shape of Eichhorn, then it seems they may be left frustrated there as well.
Sport BILD appear to suggest that Liverpool are in the driving seat for the 16-year-old, claiming that the Reds have even gone as far as looking for a loan club to park him at while they wait for him to turn 18.
Perhaps this could be Leverkusen, who, despite Liverpool’s plan, have reportedly not given up on signing Eichhorn themselves.
READ MORE: Liverpool have a first-team plan for 15-year-old Josh Abe ahead of Andoni Iraola’s appointment
The pair had expected to be rivalled by Borussia Dortmund, but the Black and Yellows are said to have now decided that the price for Eichhorn is simply too high.
The fee itself is not the problem, with claims that the youngster can be signed for only €9m as per a release clause in his Hertha contract. Dortmund would reportedly be prepared to pay this, as would other ‘top clubs’ in Germany.
However, Eichhorn’s agents are said to be looking for more than €10m in fees on top, which would bring the total cost of the deal to around €20m.
This is reportedly too much for Dortmund, who have told the player to join them only if he prioritises his football development over money.
Liverpool, however, are said to have a ‘freer hand’ in the negotiations, with the signing on fee seen as being a ‘minor detail’ on Merseyside. Leverkusen are seemingly still hoping to trump them, but with the Reds looking for loan club for Eichhorn, it seems that Die Werkself could end up being beaten by Liverpool for a second time in quick succession.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
