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Official talks can start in January for Robin Koch to quit Leeds United
Official talks can start in January for Robin Koch to quit Leeds United, with Eintracht Frankfurt planning on bringing him in permanently, according to SPORT1.
The German news outlet shared via their website on 19 October that, due to Koch’s Leeds contract being set to expire in the summer of 2024, he would be available to negotiate terms over a free summer transfer in January.
They describe his move to the Bundesliga as a perfect match and say nobody at the club could imagine him departing any time soon, with the plan aimed at keeping him on a long-term deal.
Nothing can be done
When Leeds decided to allow Koch to leave on loan in the summer, they were well aware that his contract with the Whites would be expiring next year and therefore will have been prepared for his eventual departure as the odds of him signing a new deal always looked slim.
The quick and impressive start he has made in the Bundesliga have led to these talks beginning even earlier into his time than many would have expected, but with negotiations set to take place in January, Leeds will be powerless to influence this deal.
The Yorkshire club will therefore be prepared for a future without Koch. Whether that means assessing long-term options in the transfer market or an improved level of game time for the likes of Charlie Cresswell remains to be seen.
This season, Daniel Farke has used a first-choice defensive duo of Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, but with Rodon only on loan, the club could be forced into exploring a permanent deal for their own loanee, with Koch set to depart.
In other Leeds United news, one Leeds stalwart has just five games to save his Elland Road career.