Leeds United transfers: Path clear for permanent move as sporting director indicates plan to buy up £12.9m loan hero Leeds United appear to have found a permanent home for on-loan defender Robin Koch after a sporting director stated his intentions to sign the player permanently.
The 27-year-old left Elland Road in the summer to join Eintracht Frankfurt on a season-long loan. Koch previously joined Leeds at the outset of their Premier League journey, signing from Freiburg in a £12.9m deal in the summer of 2020.
Despite an injury-plagued first two seasons, Koch went on to make 39 appearances in all competitions during the 2022/23 season. However, with Leeds suffering all season and four different managers, including those in caretaker command, it was no surprise that the team was relegated.
Koch was one of the first out the door this summer, taking advantage of a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave Elland Road on loan.
And the eight-cap Germany international was immediately snatched up by Frankfurt, who were looking for a replacement for Evan Ndicka, who had left on a free transfer to Roma.
Koch has been a huge success for Frankfurt since moving there. He has been a constant in the heart of their defense, appearing four times in the Bundesliga and twice in the Europa Conference League so far.
Dino Toppmoller’s side are one of only four sides currently unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season, sitting tenth in the table with one win and three draws.
Koch’s performances have already been recognized, with only three goals conceded in that period.
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Frankfurt wants to bring Robin Koch from Leeds on a permanent basis.
And now, Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krosche has voiced a desire to make his move permanent.
Krosche told SportBild that Frankfurt has a ‘clear plan’ to ‘keep Koch for the long term’ once his one-year loan agreement expires.
To that aim, talks with Leeds for a permanent deal are set to begin in the new year.
Lothar Matthaus, a Germany veteran, is also impressed, and has predicted that Koch will push his way back into the German national squad ahead of the 2024 European Championships.
“He’s right!” Krosche exclaimed. Robin gives a lot of consistency and consistently wins duels. When under pressure, he maintains his cool. Certainly a strong contender for the national team.”
According to sources, Leeds would like to recoup the £12.9 million they paid for Koch’s signature with a price in the area of €15 million.
His contract at Elland Road is set to expire in the summer of 2025, having been extended during the first half of last season.
And, while Leeds may eventually ask him to return after his loan period expires, the club is unlikely to push to keep a player who wants to play elsewhere.
Much will, of course, depend on the division Leeds is in at the end of the season. With loanee Joe Rodon making an impact as a replacement, Leeds are unlikely to put up much of a fight if Frankfurt meet their demands for a permanent deal.
