Koch appears ready to join Frankfurt on a one-year loan deal, despite the fact that his Leeds contract expires at the end of the year, and will travel to Germany soon to complete medical testing.
It is also said that Markus Krosche, Frankfurt’s technical director, was a key component in the deal’s success, as he pushed for the relocation.
Koch will return to Germany, albeit on loan, after Leeds signed him from Freiburg two years ago for £15 million.
Given his current predicament, a loan agreement makes the most sense for Koch, and while his contract with the Yorkshire club appears to be expiring at the end of the season, it keeps the door open for a possible stay next season.
Leeds can get his salaries off the books by loaning him out for a year [The Athletic, 3 July], and the club had intended to get a loan fee alongside this transaction, although that is yet unknown. Koch aspired to play at a higher level than the Championship, and his move to Frankfurt will enable him to achieve so.
Frankfurt has qualified for the Europa Conference League for next season, which means Koch will be playing European football while his parents are in the United States.
Finally, it is a move that benefits all parties. Leeds can deduct the defender’s wages, Koch can play at a higher level whenever he wants, and Frankfurt will get an exceptional addition to their team ahead of the new season without having to pay a transfer price.
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