Robin Koch surely now desperate for Leeds United exit door as transfer news emerge
Manchester United are reportedly interested in Leeds United defender Robin Koch, and the German international may now be desperately heading for the Elland Road exit.
The 25-year-old established himself as a crucial and pivotal cog in the Leeds United first team since his move from Freiburg in 2020, enjoying key roles under Marcelo Bielsa, Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia.
With Koch entering the final 12 months of his contract at Elland Road, and the club now relegated to the Championship, the 26-year-old is not expected to sign a new deal with Leeds and is now on the cusp of leaving the club.
And according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, taking to his personal Twitter account on 14 June, the German international is on Manchester United’s radar this summer and that “loose talks” have taken place between the clubs.
A move away this summer would bring to an end three years with Leeds United for Koch, after the defender arrived in England following the Yorkshire giants’ promotion to the Premier League in 2020, going on to make 77 appearances for the club.
The increasing Premier League interest in the German defender is certainly understandable considering Koch’s impressive performances for the Whites considering their lowly position in the table.
The 26-year-old proved a rock at the back for the Whites last season, starting 36 of their 38 league fixtures, having a hand in five clean sheets, averaging 1.2 interceptions [SofaScore], 1.5 tackles, 4.1 clearances and only dribbled past 0.9 times per game highlighting why he is arguably the best-performing defender at Elland Road.
Koch has also impressively won 62% of his aerial duels, and 57% of his total duels, also ranking amongst the best players in the Premier League for a few defensive metrics ranking seventh out of all English top-flight players for interceptions (37), eighth for clearances (103) and sixth for aerial duels won (69) [FBRef].
Despite Leeds United’s troubles last season, it is easy to see why Koch was one of their best performers and why he is attracting such lofty interest in the Premier League and the German international will no doubt feel he deserves another crack at the English top-flight.
Koch also harbours ambitions to be a Germany international regular under former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick and there is arguably no way he’d get that sort of recognition playing in the Championship.
There is also a case to argue that Koch’s qualities and level may prove a step too much for the English second division and with so much uncertainty surrounding Elland Road right now, the 26-year-old and plenty other key performers in the squad will be desperate to seek pastures new before the new campaign kicks off in August.
The question for Leeds United now is, can they get their house in order to ensure they are competitive next season without those crucial players? Nonetheless, it is almost guaranteed that Koch won’t be wearing a Leeds United shirt when that first whistle rings.
In other Leeds United news, Newcastle United want to sign one Whites man to help unleash Bruno Guimaraes.