Robin Koch is thrilled to have caught the eye of Jose Mourinho as Tottenham Hotspur plan a potential £22 million swoop for the Freiburg defender, according to The Sun (26 June, page 54).
You can see why a two-time Champions League winning boss likes this highly-rated Germany international.
Koch is one of the most commanding centre-backs in the Bundesliga on his day, the powerhouse kingpin of a Freiburg side who have turned defying the doubters into an annual tradition.
In recent weeks, the 23-year-old has been pushed into a more advanced central midfield role with enigmatic coach Christian Streich looking to make full use of his superb passing range.
On paper, then, Koch could kill two birds with one stone at a Tottenham side lacking depth not just at centre-half but in that ‘number six’ role too.
BILD broke the news this week that Spurs are stepping up their interest in the twice-capped German. The Sun now sheds more light on the situation, reporting that Koch is flattered by Mourinho’s interest.
Furthermore, the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss has apparently identified the former Kaiserslautern youngster as the man to step into Jan Vertonghen’s shoes in north London.
His penchant for a pinpoint 60-yard pass, and his ability to play in multiple positions, certainly draw comparisons with the out-of-contract Belgian.
Koch is due to become a free agent in 2021 and, having told Freiburg that he will not renew, is understood to be available for a bargain £22 million.
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