Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has faced a primary blow to his early recruitment plans following reports that Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn has rejected a move to Anfield.
The 16-year-old German youth international, who was high on the recruitment list for the Merseyside club, has reportedly informed suitors that he will not be moving to the Premier League at this stage of his development.
Instead, the highly-rated defensive midfielder is expected to join Bayer Leverkusen, the 2024 Bundesliga champions, in a move that leaves Liverpool searching for alternative midfield reinforcements.
The decision comes at a delicate time for the Reds as they transition into a new era under Andoni Iraola. The former Bournemouth boss was appointed as the new manager last week, replacing Arne Slot. With senior figures like com/liverpool-salah-free-transfer-departure-2026/”>Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson confirmed as departing stars, the recruitment team viewed the acquisition of the German prospect as a vital long-term investment. Despite the club’s track record for developing young players, the pull of remaining in Germany proved decisive for the teenager.
Andoni Iraola now finds himself managing a squad in flux ahead of his first pre-season. Failing to secure Kennet Eichhorn, who was available for a relatively modest release clause of €8-9m (£7-7.5m), represents a frustrating start for the new coaching staff.
Sources indicated that the club felt they were making significant progress in negotiations before the player’s camp informed all interested English clubs that a move to the Premier League was off the table. This occurs as Salah departure looms, marking the end of a significant era for the club’s attacking lineup.
Bayer Leverkusen set to sign Kennet Eichhorn after Premier League snub
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the battle for the signature of the Germany Under-17 international included several heavyweights. Manchester City and Chelsea were both monitoring the situation alongside Liverpool, yet Kennet Eichhorn has opted for the 2024 Bundesliga champions.
Xabi Alonso’s side appears to have won the race despite strong interest from domestic rivals RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund. Moving to Leverkusen allows the midfielder to step up to Germany’s top tier immediately.
Kennet Eichhorn was a standout performer for Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga 2 last season, making 19 appearances and demonstrating a maturity beyond his years. His ability as a defensive midfielder made him a primary target for clubs looking to secure Europe’s top young talents.
While Liverpool were increasingly confident they could convince the youngster to choose Anfield, reports from TEAMtalk suggest the player is not ready to move to England at this stage of his career.
This setback follows a period of mixed recruitment results at Anfield. Last summer, the club spent almost £500m to consolidate their position following their 2024/25 Premier League title win. However, star signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz both endured underwhelming campaigns.
The inability to close a deal for a lower-profile, high-upside target like Kennet Eichhorn adds early pressure on the recruitment department to find value elsewhere in the market.
Andoni Iraola turns attention to alternative midfield targets
The failure to land the Hertha Berlin youngster may force Andoni Iraola to shift his focus to other identified targets. The club is reportedly nearing an agreement for a deal involving Yan Diomande, who recently issued a come-and-get-me plea to Liverpool’s rivals.
With several key veterans leaving, the manager must ensure the squad is deep enough to challenge on all fronts. Liverpool’s scouts have been active in monitoring players who can fit the high-intensity style Iraola established during his time at Bournemouth.
Other European giants are also active in the market, though Liverpool remains focused on their own internal rebuild. While rival clubs like Manchester United prioritize midfield signings, the Reds must deal with the immediate loss of three senior starters.
The departure of Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson leaves significant holes in the starting eleven that the arrival of a prospect like Eichhorn was meant to help address long-term.
The coming weeks will determine how effectively Liverpool can pivot from this rejection. While the loss of a 16-year-old might not impact the first team immediately, it highlights the competitive nature of the modern transfer market.
For Andoni Iraola, the priority remains assembling a squad capable of returning to the top of the table after a season where the previous regime was replaced. The focus now shifts to finalizing the Yan Diomande deal and identifying further reinforcements before pre-season begins.
