Sources: Leeds, Crystal Palace and Fulham race to sign Timo Hubers
Crystal Palace, Watford and Fulham have joined Leeds United in the race to sign FC Koln defender Timo Hubers, Football Insider understands.
This site revealed last week (24 April) that Leeds watched the centre-back, 25, play in his team’s 3-1 win over Bielefeld at home last Saturday.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Palace and Watford, as well as newly-promoted Fulham, are also keeping close tabs on Hubers.
The have been alerted to the 6ft 3in star’s potential availability this summer, when he has a £6.7million release clause in his contract.
Koln are facing financial struggles after the pandemic but are determined to hold out for the full seven-figure fee.
Hubers is contracted to the German outfit until 2023, meaning he could leave on a free next year.
However, there is likely to be much interest in his signature come the end of the season.
Leeds are in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer and have had scouts in attendance watching Hubers this season.
Jesse Marsch's men have been joined in the hunt by Palace, Watford and Fulham.
They all see Hubers as an affordable option who could make the switch over to English football.
Hubers has spent his entire career in Germany, having come through the youth ranks at Hannover.
He initially joined Koln as a teenager in 2015 but returned to his boyhood club a year later.
The defender made a total of 39 appearances for Hannover before re-signing for Koln last summer.
He has featured 20 times this term, with 17 Bundesliga appearances under his belt.
Hubers has helped Koln push for European football next season, with the club currently sitting seventh in the table.