Manchester United have reportedly entered a hotly contested transfer race for a player dubbed the “next Toni Kroos” amid their need for midfielders.
With a short break in fixtures due to the club not being in any cup competitions and having no outstanding Premier League games, the Manchester United squad now have a much-needed break. The club do not play again till the 23rd February, when they take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Currently, the club sit fourth in the league on 45 points, just five points behind third-place Aston Villa, as the Red Devils look to extend their five-game unbeaten run under Michael Carrick.
Off the pitch, the recruitment team will focus on the summer transfer window and aim to complete one or two transfers ahead of it, similar to the Matheus Cunha deal last summer.
As expected, with Christopher Vivell at the helm, the club will be eyeing up the best young talent across Europe in their hope to bring back the idea of youth, courage, and success.
United set their sights on ‘next Kroos’
Despite playing in the German second division, Kennet Eichhorn has had a rapid ascent to stardom; at 16 years old, he has become a crucial member of the Hertha Berlin midfield. The German has started 10 out of a possible 15 games so far, as he currently sits out due to a serious ankle injury.
GOAL have previously compared Eichhorn to German legend Toni Kroos due to his “immaculate spatial-awareness”, fluidity on the ball and ability to be one step ahead of his opponent. It is no surprise that with this level of talent at only 16, he has been regarded as one of the biggest wonderkids in Germany.
According to BILD, via Sport Witness, United have expressed an interest and joined the transfer hunt for the player who has a reported £8-10 million release clause.
However, they face competition from all the big sides in Europe, like Barcelona and Bayern Munich, with Sport Witness reporting that some news outlets in Spain claim Real Madrid are eying up the teenage sensation.
No-brainer deal for United
United will no doubt have to create an exceptionally compelling case to win over the talent. Most German talents find it hard to turn down Bayern, as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid, usually acquiring whoever they want, but with the club needing a midfielder, minutes are available, which may not be the case elsewhere.
With Casemiro leaving in the summer and Manuel Ugarte’s future uncertain, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount remain the only recognised starting midfielders at the club.
United are reported to be in the market for a big-name midfielder like Carlos Baleba or Elliot Anderson, but a move for Eichhorn should be a no-brainer.
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He is a generational talent at only 16, available for a fraction of what they would pay for Baleba and someone who has shown they can perform well in the men’s game. This deal is reminiscent of the move that brought Amad to the club in 2021, although the Ivorian was distinctly more expensive.
Similar to Amad, he would not immediately be thrust into the team and would be given the time needed to adjust to England and the pressures of playing for United.
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