Dortmund consider pulling out of Eichhorn race as €20m total package emerges

There has long been speculation surrounding the future of 16-year-old Kennet Eichhorn, who is said to have attracted interest from a host of top clubs both in Germany and abroad.

Sport Bild now report new details about the race for the Hertha BSC prodigy, claiming that while a €10-12 million release clause has previously been reported, Bundesliga clubs would only need to pay a maximum of around €9 million to trigger it. For German clubs not qualified for the Champions League, the fee is even said to be slightly lower than that.

However, the report also claims that the overall cost of a deal would rise to around €20 million, with the player and his representatives demanding a signing bonus of approximately €10 million. With Eichhorn’s estimated market value around €20 million, his camp reportedly considers the overall package “completely in line with the market.”

This, the report adds, has made Borussia Dortmund consider withdrawing from the race, with the Black and Yellows believing the signing fee demands are too high.

In contrast, Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich are reportedly not deterred by the total package of €20 million and remain interested in the teenager.

However, English clubs such as Liverpool face an additional complication, as Eichhorn is not eligible to play in England until the age of 18 due to post-Brexit regulations. As a result, a move to a Premier League club would most likely be followed by an immediate loan spell outside England.