Robin Koch Leeds United loan contract clause mooted by Phil Hay as Elland Road exit talk emerges
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has suggested Robin Koch could have an agreement in his Leeds United contract which allows him to leave the club on loan this summer.
According to 90min on 16 June, Tottenham and Manchester United are interested in the 26-year-old defender.
Talking on The Square Ball Podcast on Thursday 15 June, Hay revealed that Koch cannot leave Elland Road for free, but he could potentially depart on loan.
“With Robin Koch, he also has 12 months left. My understanding with this is that he cannot leave on a free transfer,” said Hay (Square Ball Podcast, 37m 59s, 15 June).
“Simply because they’ve been relegated, however, what’s been said by people close to him is that he could go on loan. If he goes on loan for a season then he’s at the end of his deal and he could become a free agent at that point.
“In the meantime, the club taking him on would have to take on his wages. What I can’t tell is that if a loan offer is made, is if Leeds have to accept it. That’s certainly what’s been indicated.”
Strange
It would certainly be a strange decision by Leeds to implement a loan exit agreement into Koch’s contract. That’s almost the same scenario as him leaving permanently considering his deal is up in the summer of 2024.
The 26-year-old, like a number of Leeds’ players is likely to depart in the coming weeks. He’s been linked with some big Premier League clubs. Furthermore, he probably doesn’t fancy the prospect of a long and arduous Championship campaign.
Leeds need players who are going to be invested in the long-term aspirations of the club. The 49ers don’t need Premier League players who are going to produce poor performance levels in the second tier – before long the club would find itself near the bottom of the table.
The first task has to be appointing a permanent manager. Daniel Farke has been mentioned and the appointment of the German could potentially see Koch stay put.
Farke has experience getting teams out of the Championship and would be a sensible choice from the board.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shares an update on how a new triple investment would fit into the 49ers’ plans at Elland Road.