Leeds United defender Robin Koch is set to turn down interest from Manchester United as he targets a return to the Bundesliga.
That is according to Kicker, who report Koch is in favour of a move back to Germany rather than the Premier League, with Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen the front runners for his signature.
As per the report, it is said that Koch prefers a return to Germany as it would enable him to take up at a leadership role at his new club, rather than sitting on the bench at a top side in England.
He also believes it will provide him with a better chance of returning to the international fold with Germany ahead of next summer’s EUROs in his home country.
Man United have looked at Koch this summer as a potential cheaper alternative to first choice targets Kim Min-Jae and Axel Diasi, while other Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also reportedly interested.
Koch to reject Man United in favour of Bundesliga return
According to reports from Germany earlier this week, Koch has already agreed personal terms with Frankfurt ahead of a potential loan move to the club.
However, Leverkusen are continuing to work to persuade Koch into joining them, with both able to offer him the opportunity to play in Europe.
Koch is one of several players to have loan clauses included in their contract that became active upon Leeds’ relegation, even with his contract set to expire in 12 months’ time.
That means Leeds will lose the 26-year-old for nothing next summer and therefore are looking to negotiate a loan fee, which is reportedly the only thing missing in a deal with Frankfurt.
Koch is among the first batch of players set to return for pre-season at Leeds on July 2, though it would be beneficial for all parties if his exit was wrapped up swiftly.
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