Leeds United transfer target shrugs off speculation

United are on the verge of completing the record capture of Spanish international Rodrigo in a deal reportedly worth £27m plus add-ons.

Leeds are also in the market for SC Freiburg centre-half Koch, 24 – with their hopes of landing Ben White having been dashed.

Rangers’ winger Ryan Kent is another ongoing target.

On speculation regarding a move to Leeds, Koch, named in the German national squad for the internationals with Spain and Switzerland, told Kicker.de “I am still here and I am the type that I let all of this come my way and don’t worry too much about it. That’s why it all fits.”

Meanwhile, Brighton chief executive Paul Barber insists that the south coast club never had any interest in selling former Leeds loanee White this summer.

The defender, who has also been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, is set to sign a new deal with Albion.

While thanking Leeds for doing a ‘fantastic job’ with White in 2019-20, Barber is adamant that the plan has never been to part company with the 23-year-old.

White’s form has been monitored by England manager Gareth Southgate, who this week handed a first senior Three Lions call-up to United midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Speaking about White, Barber told talkSPORT: “He is a terrific young player.

“The whole point of him going out on loan was to develop him in League Two, League One, the Championship.

“Leeds did a fantastic job in helping us develop him.

“But we are looking forward to Ben playing for us in the Premier League and certainly that is what he will be doing.

“We have not got any interest in selling Ben.

“He is training with the squad and we are looking forward to seeing him in action in blue and white stripes very soon.”

Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier has been named in France Under-21s squad for next month’s international fixtures against Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Meslier has been capped up to Under-20 level.

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