Leeds United could be set to make a hefty loss on the signing of Robin Koch as the centre-back is close to making his loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt a permanent transfer, according to reports.
The German defender moved to Elland Road in the summer of 2020 for a reported £12 million as one of Marcelo Bielsa’s first signings in the Premier League era but Koch wasn’t a regular in the starting lineup in his first two seasons at the club, making 39 appearances in total across both campaigns.
Incidentally, Koch became a mainstay in the Peacocks’ team last season as the club were relegated to the Championship. The Germany international played in 36 of Leeds’ 38 matches in the Premier League over the 2022/23 campaign as the side were condemned to the second tier.
Nevertheless, at the start of the 2023/24 season, Koch was one of several players who were sent out on loan, moving to Eintracht Frankfurt for the rest of the campaign. It was reported that Leeds United received a £430,000 fee for the transfer.
However, the loan move has effectively ended Koch’s spell in Yorkshire as the player returned to Germany at the time with just 12 months remaining on his deal with Leeds.
Now, Sky Germany are reporting that Eintracht Frankfurt are closing in on the permanent signing of Koch who is set to sign a deal with the Bundesliga club until 2027. Koch has six months left on his contract with Leeds, meaning he is allowed to speak to other clubs ahead of a permanent switch in the summer.
If Koch agrees to sign for Frankfurt, Leeds United won’t get any money from the deal, making a £12 million loss on his signing over merely three-and-a-half years.
Writer’s View
This deal is completely outside of Leeds United’s control. The player’s contract expires at the end of the campaign, meaning he is free to sign for Eintracht Frankfurt if he feels like it.
The transfer is just another indictment of the Victor Orta era, a player signed for an eight-figure sum who the club ended up making nothing from at the end of his stay. One of many, unfortunately.