Under Ineos, Manchester United are focused on adding world-class talent to their squad, and it is no surprise they have been linked with the youngster being touted as the next Toni Kroos.
The club’s recruitment team has been busy tracking some of the top young players across Europe this year, with an eye already on potential moves down the line in 2026.
One deal that is already wrapped up is Cristian Orozco, a Colombian midfielder who is currently impressing at the U17 World Cup. Meanwhile, United scouts are also keeping tabs on names like Felipe Esquivel and Dell during the same tournament.
Back closer to home, there is a 16-year-old who is already breaking into senior football in Europe and drawing comparisons to Kroos. It seems like Manchester United have now joined the growing list of clubs keeping tabs on him.
Man United interested in Hertha Berlin’s Kennet Eichhorn
Kennet Eichhorn has quickly become one of the most talked-about young talents in German football. The Hertha Berlin midfielder, still just 16, is already playing regularly in the second division and has started to draw attention from Ineos.
According to Graeme Bailey of United In Focus, United’s interest is not new. They have been tracking him for over a year now, joining a growing list of major European clubs who have taken notice.
Eichhorn holds the record as the youngest player to ever appear in Bundesliga 2. United scouts have been regulars at his matches this season, but they are far from alone.
Other interested parties include BlueCo, City Group, Liverpool, and a long list of heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund.
Already over six feet tall at just 16 years old, Eichhorn impresses not just with his physical presence but also with his technical skillset. He fits the mould of a modern midfielder, versatile and composed on the ball.
UIF also understands that Eichhorn is not looking beyond Hertha at this point, which should be seen as encouraging for Premier League sides because he cannot officially join until 2027 due to age restrictions, though a pre-contract could be arranged ahead of time.
Bailey explains: “United have been aware of Eichhorn since before he was a teenager. He is one of those talents that everyone is aware of. But they are not alone; every club in Europe is aware of him.
“His talents are clearly beyond his years, speaking to scouts – you hear him likened to Toni Kroos, Aleksander Pavlovic, even Rodri – you certainly get the idea when you hear such comparisons.
“As for his future, he loves Berlin, has been with the club since he was eight – the chances of him wanting to leave anytime soon are slim, which is a boost to United in terms of their ambitions to land him.”
Ineos should consider using multi-club connections with Lausanne or Nice
Given Eichhorn’s first-team status and reported valuation around £17m, signing him straight into an academy setup seems unlikely. So, the Red Devils should use Ineos’ wider network.
A path could involve time at Lausanne or Nice, giving valuable experience at senior level before any move directly to Old Trafford, with long-term plans matching up well for both player and club.
With United unable to secure the signing until he reaches 18, his current preference to stay in Berlin could ultimately benefit Ineos.
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