Ever since the rapid development of Lennart Karl, it has been clear where FC Bayern is heading. The German record champions are increasingly looking inwards – and downwards. In future, home-grown talent will play a much greater role instead of solving every problem on the transfer market with high transfer fees. A look at the past winter transfer period shows that this strategy is far from just theory
As has now become known, the Munich club made intensive efforts in January to lure one of Germany’s most promising midfield talents to Munich: Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC. The 16-year-old is regarded as an exceptional talent across the league and has already established himself in the Bundesliga 2 with strong performances despite his young age
Bayern got serious in the winter
Transfer expert Christopher Michel reveals how concrete Bayern’s interest actually was. According to him, those responsible at Säbener Straße „pushed hard“ in the winter to convince Eichhorn of a move to Munich at an early stage. The idea: a prospective transfer that symbolizes the new Bayern way – young, German, capable of development
Eichhorn stayed with Hertha BSC and continues to fight for promotion to the Bundesliga with the Berliners. An understandable decision from a player’s point of view, as the central midfielder already enjoys remarkable confidence in the capital
Despite his age, Eichhorn has already made twelve appearances in the second division this season, ten of them in the starting eleven. He also started twice in the DFB Cup. The fact that he has not played more games is solely due to an ankle injury that slowed him down in mid-January
Goretzka’s departure increases Bayern’s interest
FC Bayern’s interest is no coincidence. A personnel shake-up in central midfield is imminent in the summer. Leon Goretzka will leave the club, which will free up a place in the squad. Even if Eichhorn would not be a candidate for the first team in the short term, his profile fits perfectly into Munich’s long-term planning
However, the record champions are far from alone in their pursuit of the Hertha youngster. In addition to Bayern, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be very interested in Eichhorn. Both clubs are also pursuing a stronger talent strategy and see the U17 international as a potential key player for the future
But that’s not all: Eichhorn has also long since made a name for himself internationally, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s development – a further indication of his exceptional potential
Release clause makes summer 2026 exciting
Eichhorn is contractually tied to Hertha BSC until 2029. However, according to media reports, he has a variable release clause that could allow him to move in the summer of 2026. Depending on the club, league and competition, this clause is worth between ten and twelve million euros. His current market value is already estimated at around 20 million euros – with a clear upward trend
For FC Bayern, this means that the winter was just a first attempt. Eichhorn remains highly relevant, especially in light of the new philosophy of building up their own stars instead of buying them at a high price. Whether Munich will get serious again in the summer or not until 2026 is likely to depend largely on how Eichhorn develops in sporting terms – and how consistently Bayern continues on its chosen path.