Napoli have become the latest side to join the race for Leeds United defender Robin Koch.
That is according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who reports the Serie A champions view him as a potential replacement for the outbound Kim Min-Jae, who is set to join Bayern Munich for £45 million.
He also claims Koch is a player Napoli have considered before and view his aerial and physical prowess as a profile who could replace Kim, who was one of the best defenders in Europe last season.
Koch has just 12 months left to run on his contract at Leeds and is among a group of players who could leave on loan this summer, before moving on a free transfer next summer.
Napoli will face a lot of competition for the 26-year-old’s signature, with a host of Bundesliga and Premier League clubs having been mentioned as potential destinations.
Napoli want to replace Kim with Koch
It is reported that Koch has snubbed interest from the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United as he favours a return to the Bundesliga.
Koch has already agreed personal terms with Eintracht Frankfurt but Bayer Leverkusen are also said to be working to persuade him to join their club.
He believes that a move back to his native homeland would give him a better chance of returning to the international fold with Germany, and enable him to become a leader.
However, interest from Napoli may well have thrown a spanner in the works on that, as they may also be able to offer him regular football if he is indeed seen as a direct replacement for their star defender Kim.
Koch made 36 Premier League appearances for Leeds last season in what was the worst defence in the league, and should he get a move to Napoli, he will have certainly done well.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
