Jason Jones

Thu 14 May 2020 16:00, UK

Reports linking Leeds United with SC Freiburg defender Robin Koch are refusing to die down at the minute.

The 23-year-old first emerged as a target for the Whites earlier this year when sporting director Victor Orta confirmed that the German was a player that he was keeping tabs on.

Since then, interest has been piqued by a recent admission from current manager Christian Streich that the centre-back could well be in line for a summer exit this season.

And Leeds’ hopes of landing their man may well have received another boost after it was reported by Portuguese outlet Record that Benfica have dropped out of the race for his signature, as pictured below.

The article claims that the Coronavirus pandemic has meant that the Primeira Liga side are unwilling to make purchases of around £9 million or more this summer, thus ruling them out of a bid for Koch.

And their loss could be Leeds’ gain.

While Record still report interest from Napoli, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, and Inter Milan, they also maintain that Leeds are one of the main contenders for the German’s signature.

Obviously, all of those clubs would represent considerable opposition to the Whites in any kind of transfer battle, but the fact that Benfica have been ruled out of the running can only be a good thing.

The fewer sides competing for the defender, the better for us.

Koch would likely be a direct replacement for Ben White, with Brighton  seemingly eager to take him back to the south coast this summer, and there are promising signs that he could fulfil that role well.

The German may have made fewer tackles and interceptions than White this term, but he has also made more clearances and won more aerial duels, as per Whoscored.

If Benfica have pulled out of the race for him, it makes things that little bit easier for Leeds, and that can only be a good thing.

In other Leeds United news, MOT View: Graeme Souness absolutely right to cast doubt over reported PL restart tactic.