Leeds United transfer news: Robin Koch offered free transfer exit as clause activates amid Manchester United and Tottenham talks
Robin Koch has been offered the chance to return to the Bundesliga after Eintracht Frankfurt lodged their interest in the Leeds United defender, Christian Falk reports.
The German centre-back is considered a likely departure from Elland Road this summer after relegation, but BILD reported this week (13 June) that there is a clause in his contract that allows him to now leave for free after dropping out of the Premier League.
Despite Phil Hay suggesting on The Square Ball (16 June) that it may be the prospect of a loan move before a free transfer exit at the end of his contract next summer that is behind that view, Falk, a BILD journalist, again suggests the 26-year-old can walk for nothing this summer.
He wrote in Fabrizio Romano’s Caught Offside Substack on Friday (16 June): “Robin Koch is now on the market at Leeds United. His release clause has become active because of their relegation to the Championship, and despite having a contract in place until 2024 the defender can leave the Elland Road outfit on a free transfer.
“As a result, Eintracht Frankfurt have now lodged their interest with the player, giving him the opportunity to return to the Bundesliga after three years in England.”
There is reportedly also widespread interest in the Leeds United centre-back within the Premier League, with Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly already in talks with his representatives over a move [90min, 16 June].
Scramble
With so many sides linked to him it seems inevitable that Koch leaves Elland Road this summer, and given how the Whites defence has performed over the past year it is some surprise that there is such high levels of interest.
If he leaves and looks transformed elsewhere it won’t reflect well on multiple Leeds managers who put him at the centre of a chaotic backline that ultimately helped contribute to relegation.
However, Andy Robertson and Harry Maguire were both relegated with Hull City in 2017 before making high profile moves so it would not be entirely unprecedented.
Koch leaving in itself would not be a huge drama for the majority of Whites fans, but if he goes for free it would be a frustrating outcome.
Even a loan that sees his wages paid for the year is some step down from the potential windfall that was being mooted for his services after relegation was confirmed.
At his age and position, if so many clubs want him, he would appear to be somewhat of a prime asset in this transfer market, so if the reports from his home country are accurate and he can go for nothing it would leave significant questions.
With Andrea Radrizzani, and crucially Victor Orta, now gone the answers are likely to be hard to come by, but it would leave the club short-changed, so the hope has to be that some return is secured amid such a heated race.
In other Leeds United news, a key teammate of Koch’s has told the club he wants to leave after approaches from two English giants.