Phil Hay shares ‘Gut feeling’ that Leeds will sign this new player after Rodrigo arrival
The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has a “gut feeling” that Leeds United will complete the signing of Robin Koch from Freiburg this summer.
Hay has previously said that he expects the Whites to table an offer for the 24-year-old Germany international before the end of this week after the club gave up in their bid to re-sign Ben White from Brighton.
Koch has told German magazine Kicker that although he’s in the final year of his contract at Freiburg and speculation surrounding his future is heating up, he does not “worry too much about” his situation.
Former Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Hay believes that it’s very likely the German will be joining Rodrigo in joining Leeds very soon.
“The seasons coming around in two weeks and there’s an evident gap in the defence which is going to have to be filled,” he said on the Phil Hay Show podcast.
“It always gets to the point where you have to move on [from White] and I think last Friday was that point.
“Koch could have moved quicker this week had it not been for the fact they were in the thick of the Rodrigo deal but I sense a confidence about Koch at Elland Road.
“Without wanting to tempt fate, my gut feeling will be that will probably happen.”
As Hay points out, Leeds’ defence is very short of options ahead of the Premier League season kicking off in two weeks’ time.
Liam Cooper is the only senior centre-back who is available to play against Liverpool at Anfield next month with Gaetano Berardi injured and out-of-contract.
Pascal Struijk and Oliver Casey are also options for Leeds with both impressing in the Championship last season.
However, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish and Marcelo Bielsa needs an experienced, battle-hardened centre-back who won’t be fazed by playing against some of the top strikers in the world.
Koch, who is capped by Germany and has 82 Bundesliga appearances to his name, is exactly that kind of defender.
In other Leeds United news, Bielsa has taken a shine to this midfielder after a 17-assist season.