Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have young star Niko Iličević on their radar and the operation remains complex because Eintracht Frankfurt have no intention of letting him leave.
The 15-year-old is already attracting interest from top European clubs, including Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle United.
He joined the Bundesliga side’s academy in 2019, after a spell at VfR Goldbach. In 2024, the attacking midfielder made his way into the U17 squad and managed four goals and four assists from 17 matches.
Iličević’s rapid development saw him make it to Eintracht Frankfurt U19 squad in 2025. He starred for them last season, managing 10 goals and six assists from 28 matches. This has also helped him make a debut for Germany U15 and U16 last year.
In the summer, the German club promoted him to their reserve team while he’s still 15 years of age. However, he’s yet to make his debut for Eintracht Frankfurt II while he made his Germany U17 debut during this international break.
Manchester City main competitor
Niko Iličević’s rise in Germany has seen him attract interest from several European clubs and Sky Deutschland cover the latest.
There’s ‘considerable interest’ from outside Germany in the young talent. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and AC Milan are monitoring him and are all keen on securing a deal.
Eintracht Frankfurt are facing ‘prominent competition’ to hold on to their jewel. Despite this, they are confident about their position.
The Germany U17 international will turn 16 years of age on October 31st. He can sign his first professional contract and then make his way into the first team. The Bundesliga side are taking desperate measures to hold on to him and waiting until end of this month.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s plan is to secure his long-term future by offering a clear sporting plan so that he can continue his development. This includes integration into the first team as soon as possible. This won’t please Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and other suitors.
No quick arrival in England
Niko Iličević’s rise has already seen him attract interest from the Premier League. Earlier this year, Sport Witness covered a report from Germany explaining that Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are keen.
Sky makes no mention of Tottenham or Newcastle United now and name Manchester City as the only suitor from England.
Either way, if any of these clubs were to convince the German jewel and agree a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt, he can’t move to England immediately. The latest rules restrict youngsters from moving to the UK until they turn 18 years of age.
