Man Utd are now eyeing a move for Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn

Manchester United have joined the race by signing highly rated German defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin Florian Plettenberg.

Just two weeks after celebrating his 16th birthday, the teenager became the youngest ever player in Germany’s second tier when he played against Karlsruher SC in August.

He has made seven league starts this season and could soon follow in the footsteps of young talents recently signed for United, including Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, Diego Leon and Cristian Orozco.

Now, according to PlettenbergSeveral top European clubs have expressed an interest in signing Eichhorn after being impressed by his performances in the German second division for Hertha this season.

One of the clubs also in the running for the youngster is Man Utd, according to the German journalist, who claims the 13-time Premier League champions are monitoring the German midfielder for a possible move to Old Trafford.

Eichhorn has a current deal at the Olympiastadion that runs until 2029, so Hertha will likely brace for continued interest due to his meager valuation. Plettenberg claims the German club want up to £8million for the youngster.

However, Man United are not alone in the race and will have to act quickly to secure his signature as the report adds that several top European clubs, including RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, are also keeping a close eye on the midfield wonderkid.

Expectation

Long before INEOS took over at Manchester United, developing young talents was already an important part of the club’s identity.

That commitment continues under INEOS, with the likes of Sekou Kone, Leon and most recently Orozco all joining – and now Eichhorn has emerged as the latest player on their radar.

At 6 feet tall, he plays mainly in deeper roles, combining an exceptional range of passing with the ability to control the rhythm of the game. His physical presence also makes him well suited to the rigors of Premier League football.

Since taking charge in November last year, Ruben Amorim has been generous with opportunities for young players, handing six players aged 20 or under a Premier League debut. This approach could give them a competitive advantage in terms of playing time during the Eichhorn negotiations.