Leeds United star eager for ‘the next step’ amid Newcastle United interest

A new name is said to be on Newcastle United’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
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Newcastle United are reportedly considering a summer move for Leeds United defender Robin Koch.

The German centre-back joined the Whites in a £13m deal from SC Freiburg in the summer of 2020 and has gone on to 63 appearances over the last two and a half seasons.

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Koch had already made his senior Germany debut a year before his move to Elland Road and has added four further caps to his haul since making his Premier League bow in a 4-3 defeat against the then-reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.

However, the versatile 26-year-old has now appeared at international level since he came on as a substitute in Germany’s 1-1 friendly draw with Denmark in June 2021. Koch was named in Hansi Flick’s squad for Euro 2020 but remained an unused substitute in group stage games against France, Portugal and Hungary, as well as the round-of-16 defeat against England.

A report in Germany has now suggested Koch is targeting a return to Flick’s squad for upcoming friendlies against Peru and Belgium and he confirmed his hopes to impress in an interview with Sport1.

He said: “I definitely want to play another tournament with and for Germany. The European Championship at home is my big goal. I will continue to step on the gas for that!

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“We have incredibly important and intense games with Leeds week in and week out. I’m in a good mood, I’m digging in here and of course I’m hoping for a nomination against Peru and Belgium.”

The same outlet has described Koch as looking to ‘take the next step’ in his career after becoming one of the ‘few bright spots’ for a Leeds side that are said to be ‘in the middle of a crisis’ as they look to fight another successful battle against relegation from the Premier League.

Several Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are said to be showing an interest in Koch, with Newcastle described as the most notable.