Reporter claims Manchester United have started talks for Leeds United ace

Manchester United are allegedly showing an unexpected interest in Leeds United defender Robin Koch.

Leeds United defender Robin Koch could make an immediate Premier League return amid links to Manchester United.

That is according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, who has taken to Twitter to claim that the Red Devils want Koch.

Plettenberg claims that Koch is on Manchester United’s list as they eye up a potential centre back signing this summer.

Harry Maguire’s future is unclear and Erik ten Hag will want targets in mind to replace the England international.

Koch would be one such option, providing a right-footed option next to the left-footed Lisandro Martinez.

Plettenberg adds that ‘loose talks’ have been held with United making their first move towards signing the German.

Koch may now have the chance to follow in Alan Smith’s footsteps by leaving Leeds United to join Manchester United after a relegation.

Manchester United will face a battle for Robin Koch

Leeds struck a deal worth £13million to sign Koch from Freiburg back in 2020.

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Highly rated in Germany, Koch has been one of the better Leeds defenders and has been hailed as an ‘incredible player’ by former boss Jesse Marsch.

Koch, 26, has shown the ability to play as a centre back and as a holding midfielder, offering versatility which may appeal to Erik ten Hag.

The really appealing factor here is that Koch is out of contract in 2024.

Leeds would hate to see Koch leave for nothing in a year and this may be the right time to sell.

Yet if Manchester United think they will have this race all their own way, they may be in for a shock.

Sport1 suggested in March that Koch was attracting real interest from Newcastle United.

The Magpies may be looking for a right-footed centre back too with Jamaal Lascelles potentially moving on.

Koch could be the ideal option to compete with Fabian Schar and may not break the bank due to his contract situation.

Leeds would also probably rather to sell to Newcastle than Manchester United, so this chase won’t be easy for Ten Hag’s men.