Manchester United, Liverpool monitoring German wonderkid, Jude Bellingham to be recalled to England squad by Thomas Tuchel - Paper Round

A German 16-year-old has caught the attention of Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool, according to Friday's newspapers. Elsewhere, former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag could be in line for a surprise return to Ajax following the departure of John Heitinga, and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is set to be recalled to the England squad by manager Thomas Tuchel.

Premier League giants chasing Eichhorn

The Mirror claims Manchester United and Liverpool are monitoring German teenager Kennet Eichhorn.

The defensive midfielder, valued at £17 million has made eight appearances for Hertha Berlin so far this term, attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

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The outlet writes: "Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen have all reportedly sent scouts to watch Eichhorn.

"Premier League delegates are also regulars at the Olympiastadion. It's claimed that Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Manchester City have all begun scouting him.

"German publication Bild, via Mundo Deportivo, report that Hertha have already told interested parties that they'd consider an offer worth €20m (£17m). Eichhorn got his chance in the first team because of injuries but he's managed to keep his place thanks to a string of impressive performances."

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Ten Hag in line to be re-appointed Ajax boss

Eric ten Hag is in line to be appointed the new Ajax manager following the dismissal of John Heitinga.

The Dutch giants are fourth in the Eredivisie and were beaten 3-0 at home by Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, which proved the final straw for Heitinga.

Ten Hag is out of work after being sacked by Bayer Leverkusen just two league games into the season.

The 55-year-old left Ajax for Manchester United in April 2022.

"Ex-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly held talks over a return to former club Ajax," writes the Mirror.

"Dutch outlet AD says that Ten Hag has already held talks with Ajax chiefs over the possibility of succeeding John Heitinga as boss, who was sacked on Thursday.

"Wolves reportedly reached out to Ten Hag via an intermediary to gauge his interest in the vacant job. But Wolves’ position at the foot of the Premier League table, with two points from 10 games, did not appeal to Ten Hag, who now appears to have received a more attractive offer."

Erik ten Hag

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Bellingham to be recalled by Tuchel

Jude Bellingham will be recalled to the England squad on Friday for the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, claims the Guardian.

Thomas Tuchel caused a stir when he opted not to select the Real Madrid midfielder for the friendly with Wales and the qualifier against Latvia in October.

The Guardian writes: "Bellingham was not in prime physical condition having returned to the Real Madrid squad after shoulder surgery only a couple of weeks before Tuchel’s announcement. It was nonetheless a bombshell call given Bellingham’s ability and status, with Tuchel doubling down on it when he said he might have excluded him even if he had been 100% fit.

"Tuchel wanted to reward the players who ignited his tenure in September with the win over Serbia in Belgrade - plus the home victory over Andorra - when Bellingham was unavailable. He named the same initial squad, the injuries to Tino Livramento and Noni Madueke not withstanding, and the themes were faith and continuity; an attempt to build spirit and momentum. Inevitably, though, the move was interpreted as a slight on Bellingham, who had wanted and perhaps expected to be included.

"It feels as if Tuchel has made his point about what is important and Bellingham will be expected to embrace the collective; the competition that the manager has repeatedly said is on. Tuchel has plenty of options in the No. 10 position on top of Bellingham - namely Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. Palmer is injured and Foden was overlooked in October."

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