Robin Koch update emerges at Leeds United as Phil Hay shares transfer news
Leeds United defender Robin Koch will now sign a pre-contract with Eintracht Frankfurt to make his loan move permanent at the end of the season, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist shared in his article (8 January) that the Whites loanee looks set to sign the pre-contract agreement now as he gears up for a permanent move away from Elland Road.
Koch is very keen on staying at the German outfit beyond his loan agreement, wanting to impress ahead of Germany’s international fixtures in March and Euro 2024 this summer and has become a regular fixture under Dino Toppmoller.
Koch’s contract at Leeds included a clause — which was activated last summer — allowing him to depart on loan if the club were relegated from the Premier League, with his departure now easing the club’s wage bill.
No cash boost
Koch has spent the opening stages of the season on loan at the Bundesliga club and has even captained the side, with his Elland Road contract up at the end of the campaign.
The 27-year-old has made some fantastic progress for Frankfurt, featuring in 14 Bundesliga games so far this campaign and even placing himself in the thoughts of Nagelsmann for the Germany squad.
Koch was one of the handful of players to leave Elland Road after the Whites were exiled from the Premier League last season, alongside Marc Roca, Brenden Aaronson, Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen.
After the club’s relegation, there was always the chance a player of Koch’s qualities would leave Elland Road given he’s somewhat proven a step ahead of Championship football.
But the fact that the 27-year-old will now be leaving the club for nothing is a real shame but that’s the price of doing business when a player is on the last six months of his current deal.
However, it still hurts, to sign a player for £20m and then see them go for free a few years later. Bitter blow financially.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope slammed a Whites player for his “embarrassing” performance against Peterborough.