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Borussia Dortmund are reportedly leading the race to sign teenage sensation Kennet Eichhorn, with the club said to hold “the best chances” of securing his signature. According to German outlet *Bild*, a meeting between Dortmund sporting director Ole Book and the 16-year-old midfielder has been pivotal in swaying the youngster’s preference.
Earlier reports from *Sport Bild* suggested Eichhorn was not entirely convinced by Niko Kovac’s playing philosophy at Dortmund, favoring moves to Bayer Leverkusen or RB Leipzig instead. However, that stance appears to have shifted. Bayern Munich remain in the hunt, but *kicker* reports internal disagreements within the Bavarian club regarding the wisdom of signing Eichhorn.
Hertha BSC, Eichhorn’s current club, have not given up hope of retaining the prodigy for another season. *Bild* claims their plan is to sell Eichhorn next summer via a €12 million release clause but bring him back on loan for a year. Yet this scenario seems unlikely. According to *Sport Bild*, Eichhorn is not interested in a detour; any transfer this summer would only be to a Champions League regular offering immediate playing time. A loan return to Berlin or a year at a mid-table club is off the table.
If Eichhorn joins Dortmund, the Black and Yellows would likely integrate him straight into the first team, given their longstanding need for a clear defensive midfielder alongside Felix Nmecha.
Despite the odds, Hertha remains hopeful. Sporting director Benjamin Weber emphasizes the guaranteed game time in Berlin: “That kind of security at such a young age, the development time — that’s what we can put on the scales.” Weber added, “No decision has been made yet. We’re in contact with Kenny’s parents. We’ll do everything we can to convince him to stay one more year.”
Coach Stefan Leitl echoed that sentiment after Hertha’s 2-1 win over Greuther Fürth, in which Eichhorn scored his first second-division goal with a spectacular solo run. At 16 years, 9 months, and 13 days, he became the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga 2 history, surpassing Gunther Reeg’s 1985 record by 52 days.
“It was an incredible goal. He’s 16 — what superlatives are left? When you play at this level at 16 like an experienced second-division player and hold up physically, that says it all. Fantastic goal, congratulations Kenny,” Leitl praised.