German newspaper Bild say there is a plan in place for Frankfurt to complete a permanent move for Leeds defender Robin Koch from January 1, when the German becomes available on a pre-contract basis under the Bosman ruling.
Koch, 26, is set to join Frankfurt on loan in the coming 24 hours – with a medical for the German defender currently ongoing. Koch has entered the final 12 months of his contract, and Phil Hay reports Leeds will receive a loan figure.
But, it effectively ends his Leeds spell – a year before the end of his current deal. He has spent the last three years at Leeds, having signed a four-year deal in 2020. It means we will not get a full permanent fee for defender Koch.
That is because he will be allowed to go on a free next summer. Under the Bosman ruling, a player can join a club overseas from their parent club under a pre-contract, inside the last six months of a contract. For Koch, January 1.
Bild say there is a plan in place to ‘sign him up’, on a free in January – or as soon as they are able to do so. There are factors; Koch may struggle, injuries. As things stand, Koch will sign permanently after his initial loan, for nothing.
Plan in place for Frankfurt to sign Robin Koch in January from Leeds
As Hay states in his report, his loan move away from Leeds this summer pretty much ends his Leeds stint. He will remain on the books initially given he is only on loan – but Frankfurt are likely to be paying the majority of his wages.
Then, Frankfurt will arrange a pre-contract in January. There is a plan in place for that. It will not be another club that he joins on a free, but at Frankfurt. A pre-contract means he will officially sign permanently next summer.
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