Manchester City move to beat Man United to signing of German defensive midfielder

Manchester City move to beat Man United to signing of German defensive midfielder

• Manchester City have reportedly stolen a march on Manchester United in the pursuit of 16-year-old prodigy Kennet Eichhorn.
• Sporting Director Hugo Viana is leading the charge, signalling a swift start to Man City’s summer recruitment.
• Amid interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool, a release clause between €10 million and €12 million has made Eichhorn one of the most sought-after teenagers in the 2026 market.

Hugo Viana and Manchester City appear determined to secure the services of one of German football’s most exciting prospects, according to reports in England.

The news comes as a blow to early recruitment plans at Old Trafford, where Manchester United had previously identified the Hertha Berlin starlet as one of a number of primary youth targets with an eye towards securing the long-term future of the club.

However, as has long been the case, the power dynamic in Manchester appears to have shifted towards the Etihad Stadium in the scouting department, with City focussed on future-proofing the midfield, viewing Eichhorn as an ideal long-term development project.

Despite Hertha Berlin lying some way off from promotion in 2. Bundesliga, Kennet Eichhorn has been a standout performer, and many of Europe’s top clubs are keen to take advantage of his rapidly increasing stock before his valuation comes to match.