Leeds United transfer news: Robin Koch agrees personal terms for loan exit amid new fee development
Robin Koch has agreed terms with Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of a proposed loan exit from Leeds United, according to Frankfurter Rundschau.
The Bundesliga side see the defender as a “leading player and pillar in the recently shaky defence” and believe he “fits perfectly” against the profile of what they need.
In addition, “contrary to prior reports” which suggested the German would be leaving Elland Road for free there is expected to be a loan fee paid to the Whites before a potential free transfer next summer once his Leeds United contract expires.
Koch, 26, has separately been named as a surprise target for Manchester United if they miss out on their preferred options this summer [Independent, 20 June], with the likes of Tottenham [90min, 16 June] and Bayer Leverkusen [Florian Plettenberg, 21 June] also linked.
On his way
That Koch is set to leave on loan before his contract expires next season ties up with what Phil Hay had suggested on The Square Ball (15 June, 38m), and matches up with what appears to be in various other players’ contracts [Daily Mail, 26 June].
A loan fee is some way from the possible transfer windfall the defender might have brought in otherwise, but it is better than nothing if the Frankfurt move goes through.
Whites fans might have a few things to say about Koch being the answer to a shaky defence at Eintracht Frankfurt since he was a central figure in one of those at Elland Road this season and couldn’t stop a league-worst 78 goals being conceded.
The German international is far from solely responsible for that, but given the protection that Illan Meslier was provided by his back line shattered his confidence so much he went from a transfer target for the likes of Chelsea [The Times, 14 March] and Manchester United [The Sun, 19 February] to dropped before the end of the season the Budesliga club might not want to pin all their hopes on Koch.
However, Diego Llorente was rarely a standout for the right reasons with Leeds United across the past two campaigns but featured in a Europa League final on loan at Roma and impressed Jose Mourinho enough for a second move to the Stadio Olimpico to have been agreed.
So perhaps Koch will achieve a proper return to form after a loan exit of his own, but the new Whites hierarchy are going to need to find answers to the defensive deficiencies that are left behind in West Yorkshire.
In other Leeds United news, managerial delay suggests a former Manager of the Season is the chosen one at Elland Road.