Kicker reports that Leverkusen are optimistic about their chances of landing the teenager, and crucially want to secure him on their own terms rather than as part of a loan arrangement driven by City.
The complication is a cooperation agreement between Leverkusen and Manchester City that has previously facilitated player movement between the clubs. City's stated plan, reported by Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, is to trigger Eichhorn's release clause — believed to be in the region of 10 to 12 million euros — and immediately send him on loan to Leverkusen, as FIFA regulations prevent players under 18 from competing in the Premier League. Manager Pep Guardiola is said to be personally involved in City's pursuit.
Bayer Leverkusen's preference is clearly for a clean acquisition. A previous loan arrangement under the same cooperation structure, for Manchester City's Argentinian forward Claudio Echeverri, ended poorly. Echeverri made just 11 appearances at the BayArena before the loan was terminated early in January, with the player subsequently moving to Girona.
Eichhorn turns 17 in late July and has already broken into senior football at Hertha Berlin, making 18 appearances across all competitions this season, contributing two goals and two assists in Germany's second tier.
The competition for his signature is considerable. Bayern Munich view Eichhorn as their primary midfield target, while Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, VfB Stuttgart and Real Madrid have all been credited with interest. Meetings between the player's camp and multiple clubs have taken place, with no decision yet made.
Eichhorn is expected to leave Berlin this summer regardless of where he ends up.