Liverpool top transfer target banned from joining club this summer

Liverpool's pursuit of Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn could get tangled up in red tape.

The Reds are understood to be competing with Premier League rivals Manchester City for the signature of the 16-year-old, who has impressed in his 2. Bundesliga appearances for Hertha in 2025-26.

German champions Bayern Munich are also interested in Eichhorn, who is reportedly open to their advances.

Bayern and other clubs have a major advantage in the transfer market over and above the long-established path to Bayern for talented young German footballers from any other club.

According to BBC Sport correspondent Dale Johnson, the bureaucratic restriction faced by Liverpool is the result of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.

"Worth mentioning that Liverpool cannot sign Kennet Eichhorn this summer," Johnson posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"He's 16. He can join a club in any other major European league now, but post-Brexit you have to be 18 to sign for an English club.

"And you can't sign the player now and loan them out until they are 18.

"You can take the South American route, pre-sign talent to move when they turn 18. This would be very unusual within Europe, because there is so much internal competition.

"So, unless he qualifies for a UK passport, Eichhorn can't sign for an English club until July 2027."

While a pre-agreement is a possibility, English clubs are disadvantaged by the inability to snap a player up with a range of deployment options available.

Eichhorn is one of the most sought-after youngsters in world football. Image credit: Getty

"Brexit means it is far less likely that English clubs can sign young European talent at a cut-price," added Johnson.

Could Liverpool miss out on a bargain release clause?

"They can't sign these players for free when they turn 16 before they agree a first pro contract. And they cannot take advantage of low release clauses for young players either."

In this case, the player has a reported release clause between €10m and €12 million.

Eichhorn has been linked with a big move since his first team debut for Hertha in Germany's second tier. He's made a total of 16 league appearances this season.

The Berlin club finished in seventh place and the teenage defensive midfielder's reputation has exploded.

Bayern's interest in him is no secret. Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are also understood to be eager to sign him.