Manchester United monitoring “the next Toni Kroos” who has already made history in Germany

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Manchester United are monitoring Hertha Berlin’s 16-year-old prodigy Kennet Eichhorn. Eicchorn has made history in Germany by becoming the youngest player in the history of the 2. Bundesliga, catching the eye of the football world.

Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that nearly all top European sides are now keen on the youngster he describes as an exceptional talent. Manchester United are among a host of clubs known to be tracking the player alongside Leipzig, Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Leverkusen, Real Madrid, and PSG.

Eichhorn is already a regular for Hertha Berlin, and plays primarily as a defensive midfielder. He is lauded for his ball winning ability and tactical maturity for his young age.

He joined Hertha Berlin as an Under-9 player in 2017 and climbed through the ranks at the club. Eichhorn signed his first professional contract earlier this summer despite having to miss the entire preseason due to the rule forbidding Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 players to appear in first team games before turning 16.

The player is a Germany international at the U-17 level, skippering the side for all four of his appearances. He scored twice in the recent 4-0 European Under-17 Championship qualifying victory over Luxembourg.

Eichhorn likely would have skippered the side once more at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar this month, but club commitments saw him miss out on the tournament. Such is his importance to Hertha Berlin.

He has drawn comparisons to compatriot Toni Kroos for his composure on the ball and ability to orchestrate play from the centre of the park. As it stands the player’s release clause stands at €10-12m but could rise if Hertha Berlin tie him down to fresh terms.

Man United are understood to be on the market for a long term successor to Casemiro in midfield. The Brazilian is out of contract in June of 2026 and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Despite the player’s improved recent form, his United stint has been marred by inconsistency. The same can be said for Manuel Ugarte who has struggled for first team minutes under Amorim.

Kobbie Mainoo has looked a frustrated figure and has requested a loan departure from the club. His long term future remains uncertain as well. United have tracked several midfielders as their shortlist continues to grow.

Atletico’s Conor Gallagher, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller, and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba have also been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Nadji is a football writer with over 10 years of experience covering the Premier League. His work has been featured on Football Fancast, Arsenal-Mania, and Arsenal.com, where he has built a reputation for delivering sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and in-depth coverage of the game.