BREAKING: Liverpool banned from signing players in summer 2026

Because of stringent post-Brexit legal hurdles, Liverpool and Manchester City find themselves powerless to recruit the 16-year-old wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn during the current summer transfer window.

Liverpool's plans to hunt for young talent have just been dealt a cold blow named Brexit. The Reds' top transfer target, Hertha Berlin defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn, has been confirmed as unable to join any English club this summer due to tightened administrative procedures in the UK.

Kennet Eichhorn has become one of the hottest names on the transfer market after his explosive performances in the 2025/2026 German second division. At just 16, he has made 16 appearances for the first team, boosting his reputation and helping Hertha Berlin finish in seventh place.

Not only Liverpool, but Manchester City have also entered the race for this raw gem's signature, especially as he has a very attractive release clause ranging from €10 million to €12 million.

However, post-Brexit regulations have poured cold water on the ambitions of Premier League giants. According to BBC sports journalist Dale Johnson, current English football rules prohibit clubs from signing European players under the age of 18.

Johnson elaborated on social media platform X: “It must be added that Liverpool cannot sign Kennet Eichhorn this summer. He is only 16. He could currently join any club in other major European leagues, but post-Brexit, you must be 18 to sign a contract with an English club.”

Many have thought about buying him outright and then loaning him out, but the rules have also closed that loophole. “You cannot sign the player now and then loan them out until they turn 18,” Johnson asserted. Unless Eichhorn holds a British passport, he must wait until July 2027 to arrive in the Premier League.

The expert summed it up: “Brexit means English clubs can hardly recruit young European talents at low cost. They cannot sign these players for free when they turn 16 before their first professional contract. Nor can they exploit low release clauses for young players.”

The deadlock for the English is a golden opportunity for German giants. Champions Bayern Munich, along with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, hold a clear advantage. Eichhorn himself is reportedly open to an offer from the Bavarian powerhouse.

If they cannot circumvent the rules with a pre-contract agreement (similar to the route English clubs often use in South America), Liverpool will almost certainly lose this prodigy to major continental rivals.

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