Borussia Dortmund often pull off wise transfer coups in the market, especially when it comes to young talents. But it seems like the club ran out of luck in this one case.
Having been linked with Kenneth Eichhorn earlier this year, the 16-year-old has now reportedly completed a move to Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano wrote on X earlier today that Eichhorn completed his medical with Die Werkself, who apparently activated his release clause of €9 million.
Signing a five-year contract with the 2024 league champions, the boy wonder was also reportedly monitored by several German and English clubs.
Dortmund were supposedly in the race too, with Sports Bild reporting last month that a meeting took place between sporting director Nils-Ole Book and Eichhorn in April.
It shows that the club were seriously pursuing the young talent from Berlin, who broke onto the stage in 2.Bundesliga with Hertha BSC last season.
Debuting at the age of 16 years and 14 days in August 2025, Eichhorn didn't look back thereafter, finishing with 16 league appearances and two more in the domestic cup.
He scored once in 2.Bundesliga and once in the DFB Pokal, against FC Kaiserslautern in their stunning 6-1 demolition job in the round of 16.
Bayer Leverkusen have also confirmed his arrival by putting up a picture of him on their official X account, celebrating the move by calling it a 'perfect addition'.
Liverpool were touted as the side to snap him up but due to Brexit rules, Eichhorn would remain in Germany for one more year on loan at either Leverkusen or Dortmund.
With Emre Can injured for much of their last two seasons which has made him unreliable and Salih Ozcan leaving the club this summer, the Black and Yellows are in need of a defensive midfielder.
But as Eichhorn is lost to Leverkusen, the club will be forced to look elsewhere for reinforcements in that position to partner Felix Nmecha.
Sky Sports Germany reports that Dortmund now plan on pursuing Argentinian midfielder Milton Delgado. Currently with Boca Juniors, he too is on the radar of many European sides.
The 20-year-old also comes cheaper than Eichhorn and so Niko Kovac's side could go for him after being reluctant to sign pay Eichhorn's price on the clause.
Nonetheless, the player's performances over the next few years could see Dortmund back in the mix for him should the teenager excel at Leverkusen.
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