Leeds United transfer news: Robin Koch set to leave for free as ‘secret clause’ emerges
Leeds United look set to lose Robin Koch for nothing this summer as a new clause in his contract has come to light, according to BILD.
The German defender was already considered a “certain departure”following relegation from the Premier League, but he had previously been mooted as likely to bring in a decent fee to Elland Road, [Yorkshire Evening Post, 30 May].
However BILD report that in the face of widespread interest in the 26-year-old he is now “on the market for free” thanks to a “secret clause” in his deal which allows him to leave a year before his contract is up thanks to dropping out of the top flight.
The German international had already been linked with a move within the Premier League as Newcastle like him [90min, 8 June] but the latest report suggests interest from his home country has ramped up.
Short change
There won’t be a huge number of fans sad to lose Koch during the transfer window as there seems a clear need to tighten up in defence.
But if he leaves for nothing it would represent a significant missed opportunity, and with this report coming shortly after news from Cope (7 June) that former £27million club-record signing Rodrigo can leave for just £3million it might start putting supporters on edge about what else is around the corner.
The Whites are supposed to be well fortified against the financial blow of relegation thanks to the value of the squad, in addition to parachute payments, but it won’t be worth much if there are so many back door exit routes.
The Spanish forward and the German defender are two who would have been tipped to fetch a decent amount this summer, so if they both go for very little it would be disappointing, and possibly effect what incoming business can be done.
Departures appear to largely be waiting on a new managerial appointment, but once one is made there could be few gone in quick succession.
The fanbase will have made peace a long time ago with the fact that the squad is going to be overhauled in a big way, but the hope has to be that some of the reported clauses are wide of the mark, and that other previously unknown ones don’t emerge still.
In other Leeds United news, one player the Whites hierarchy “desperately” want to keep is likely to leave as well amid links to Manchester United.