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Manchester United are reportedly battling a host of Premier League rivals and European giants for Hertha Berlin wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn. Aged just 16, Eichhorn is causing a stir in the German capital after becoming a first-team regular this season. The defensive midfielder has featured in nine of Hertha's 13 matches this campaign, prompting Europe's elite to take notice. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen have all been linked with interest. That's alongside United, Liverpool , Arsenal and Manchester City . Reports say that the Premier League quartet have all sent scouts to the Olympiastadion to watch Eichhorn in action, with United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, recently confirming that plans are already in place ahead of the January transfer window. German outlet Bild, via Mundo Deportivo , claim that Hertha have already informed interested suitors that they'd entertain an offer worth €20m (£17m). The teenager continues to generate hype, so clubs will be mindful of the Bundesliga 2 club's asking price increasing. "He is an incredible, exceptional talent," team-mate Fabian Reese said after Eichhorn's debut. "If he continues like this, all doors will be open to him. I have rarely seen anyone so talented at that age. He has a huge career ahead of him." Manager Stefan Leitl also sung his praises post-match, declaring: "I couldn't care less whether he's 16 or 17. He's a huge talent for Hertha. In many of his actions, you could see what we might be seeing from him in the coming years. I'm completely convinced of his abilities; he did a great job." Eichhorn extended his contract with Hertha in July and he's been likened to Germany legend Toni Kroos thanks to his style of play. Kroos' brother, Felix, has encouraged him to keep playing in Berlin for an additional two to four years. "That's the beauty of football: there isn't one right path, no magic formula," Kroos told RTL . "Still, Eichhorn, at 16, is a special case and should remain in his familiar environment. "That's what brought him to where he is now. A move to Bayern or [Borussia] Dortmund in the next two to four years would be too early. I hope he develops at Hertha for a few more years. Ultimately, you can't plan anything in football. "If it goes well and Eichhorn stays another two or three years, those six million (euros) could become 60 million. That would be even better for the books in Berlin. And with the sums circulating today, six million is too little anyway." He further commented: "The way Eichhorn plays is remarkable. He radiates calm, gains valuable experience, and is allowed to make mistakes. He has the quality, yet he will sometimes sit out. You have to give such a young player a break because it's a lot for the mind." Here at the Manchester Evening News, we're dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis. Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories. And finally, if you'd rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts , and you can also watch along on YouTube . Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
