Robin Koch wanted by Newcastle as £11m ace considers Leeds United exit

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Robin Koch is considering his future at Leeds United with ambitious Newcastle among the Premier League clubs keeping tabs on the Germany international, according to Sport1. 

When the former Freiburg stopper admitted recently that he was desperate to feature for Germany at the European Championships on home soil in 2024, that should perhaps have been an indication as to what was to come.

Koch was left out of Hansi Flick’s squad for the Qatar World Cup; his association with relegation-threatened Leeds seemingly doing no good for his international prospects. In fact, since the start of 2021, the former Bundesliga ace has made just one appearance for Germany. 

So, the question is; does Koch need to leave Elland Road behind in order to fulfil his ‘big goal’ of featuring at Euro 2024? Possibly. In the case of relegation, probably.  

Newcastle United eye Leeds defender Robin Koch

Koch, Sport1 say, ‘would like to take the next step’ this summer. Newcastle, given their current position of sixth and their deep-pocketed Saudi Arabian owners, may represent a leap forward in terms of Koch’s personal ambitions. 

His contract, meanwhile, expires in 2024. As such, Leeds will know that – if Koch does stay beyond September – his market value will plummet quicker than Man United’s share price after a Glazer U-turn.

The 26-year-old centre-half has been one of the few consistent performances in an inconsistent Leeds season. Injury-free and a regular in his favoured centre-half role these days; Koch’s burgeoning partnership with January arrival Max Wober may be Leeds’ best hope of avoiding relegation. Especially as goals dry up at the other end. 

“In my opinion, both centre backs played really well today,” head coach Javi Gracia told Leeds Live following that potentially-vital 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Southampton. 

“They had a tough challenge, with a very tall player (Southampton’s two-metre targetman Paul Onuachu). All the defensive line was very concentrated, and the good work of the team meant we got a clean sheet.”