FC Bayern will apparently not be signing Kennet Eichhorn. Although sporting director Max Eberl has long been in favour of a transfer and is said to have held intensive talks with the player, the Munich management has now finally decided against a move for the Hertha talent
The 16-year-old is regarded as one of the biggest talents of his age group in Germany and was on the wish lists of numerous top clubs. In addition to Bayern, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and several Premier League clubs were linked with the midfielder
High hand money causes astonishment
The main reason for Munich’s withdrawal is said to have been the financial circumstances
According to information from kicker and SPORT1, it was the hand money demanded in particular that raised eyebrows at Säbener Strasse, with a double-digit million sum for the player, family and advisor reportedly being discussed. Particularly explosive: the payment for the signature is said to have been even higher than the actual transfer fee that would have gone to Hertha BSC
From an economic point of view, this was apparently not justifiable for the Bayern bosses
Bayern relies on its own talent
In addition to the financial aspects, sporting considerations also played an important role, according to the report
Noel Aseko, a promising midfielder, is returning from Hannover 96, while campus talent David Santos is also seen internally as an interesting option for the future. Both personalities are said to have increased the scepticism towards an expensive signing for Eichhorn
A majority within the club had already formed against the transfer at the end of January, and this stance was apparently reaffirmed following the latest talks
Second setback for Eberl
For Max Eberl, the development means a further setback. After dream player Anthony Gordon turned down FC Bayern and joined FC Barcelona instead, the Eichhorn transfer is now also not going ahead. According to the report, the Hertha youngster was one of the players that Eberl is said to have pushed particularly hard internally
However, the 16-year-old will not remain without suitors for long. Following Bayern’s withdrawal, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are still considered serious candidates to sign him. International interest in the talented German youngster also remains high
For FC Bayern, however, the decision seems to have been made: the record champions would rather focus on developing their own talent than on a financially costly transfer of a 16-year-old.