At least one transfer saga for Man Utd is over, and well before the window begins, with a prodigy making a decision on his future.
The transfer window always comes with protracted sagas, despite Ineos bringing about precision and clarity in their operations.
Due to the level at which Man Utd operate, and the finances involved, decisions are rarely made quickly.
However, they can at least put one case in the back of their minds for now after a decision has been with a ‘done deal’ update.
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Kennet Eichhorn seals transfer move
Kennet Eichhorn is one of the crown jewels of German football, becoming a part of Hertha’s first team at the age of just 16.
The defensive midfielder has a unique and complete profile, in that he excels at both the defensive and the technical side of the game.
Eichhorn was attracting interest from basically every elite club in Europe, so Man Utd were never going to be behind in that queue.
After a buildup of more than six months, the 16-year-old prodigy has taken the next step in his career, joining Bayer Leverkusen.
Leverkusen will pay his release clause, worth €8-9m, and Eichhorn will sign a contract until 2031.
Florian Plettenburg reports that it’s a ‘done deal’, ending all chances of a hijack by adding that ‘rejection has been sent to all other clubs’.
It’s fair to say that United would be among those clubs, since they’ve been interested in him for quite a while now.
Man Utd won’t sweat over losing Eichhorn race
Eichhorn could end up being a generational talent, but there are a couple of factors which always made this a difficult deal for the club.
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The major one is the Brexit effect, wherein United can’t sign foreign players under the age of 18.
Even if he was signed, Eichhorn would have had to spend the start of next summer at Hertha (he turns 17 in July).
Then there’s United’s immediate need for reinforcements in midfield, so signing a player who would arrive next season, having never played in England before, at 18, was a needless gamble.
Sure, they might look back on this in four years’ time when Eichhorn is a €100m player (potentially), but that doesn’t mean they could have convinced him to move to Old Trafford now.
Leverkusen are the perfect next step for him, and it’s fair to assume that United won’t stop scouting him.
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