Bayern Munich will be one of several top clubs looking to strengthen the midfield department during the summer transfer window. The Bavarian club will need to find a replacement for Leon Goretzka. They have already confirmed Goretzka’s impending departure at the end of the season.
The record Bundesliga champions may have tried to sign Goretzka’s replacement during the winter transfer window since Goretzka was subject to concrete interest from Atletico Madrid.
According to German football journalist Christopher Michel, Bayern pushed hard to sign Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha. It remains to be seen why the move didn’t materialise, but he remains a long-term target for Bayern. The race to sign Eichhorn is wide open as Eintracht Frankfurt are also interested in signing him.
The youngster reportedly has a release clause in his current deal at Hertha. Die Roten may have to pay a complete package of €25 million, which includes his salary.
Eichhorn has been making waves in the second division by playing at a great level for Hertha’s senior team. The 16-year-old is considered the next big midfield talent in Germany. Considering how difficult it is to excel in the center of the park, Eichhorn has taken to senior football like a duck to water. He has made 11 appearances for the first team at Hertha.
The teenager can play in a deeper role or in a natural box-to-box midfield role. He likes to carry the ball since he has good close control. Considering the maturity he has shown at the top level, it is not surprising to see all the top German clubs queuing up to sign him.
Bayern looking at young midfielders to replace Goretzka
The record Bundesliga champions already have Aleksandar Pavlovic and Tom Bischof in the midfield department. The young German midfielders are expected to be part of the club’s long-term plans.
Joshua Kimmich will provide the experience in the center of the park. Die Roten extended his contract until 2029 during the second half of the season. He is expected to take the armband once Manuel Neuer hangs up his boots.
Bayern Munich have no plans to sign an established midfielder to replace Goretzka. They are reportedly focusing on signing a younger midfielder who can be part of the squad on a long-term basis. Apart from Eichhorn, Die Roten have been heavily linked with a summer move for Club Brugge’s Nathan De Cat.