Leeds United Eyes Danilho Doekhi as January Transfer Target

According to Sky Sports, Leeds United is optimistic about acquiring Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi during the upcoming January transfer window. The Dutch defender has made a significant impact in the Bundesliga this season, scoring four goals in league play and adding two more in the Pokal, for a total of six goals across all competitions.

Doekhi is currently under an expiring contract and is reportedly looking for a new opportunity. Union Berlin is likely to prefer selling their €13 million-rated defender now rather than allowing him to leave for free at the end of the season. Once the January transfer window opens, Doekhi will be free to negotiate a potential free transfer with any interested club.

Union Berlin has been facing persistent interest in both Doekhi and his highly-rated defensive partner, Diogo Leite. However, a potential obstacle for Leeds in securing Doekhi could be Leite’s situation; a previous transfer fell through last autumn, leading to speculation that he may also be departing from Köpenick this month.

Multiple sources, including Sky and German football media such as Kicker and transfermarkt.de, report that Leeds head coach Daniel Farke views Doekhi as an ideal addition to his defensive lineup. This need for reinforcement is heightened by the recent injury of regular starter Joe Rodon, necessitating immediate support in defense.

Union Berlin’s managing director, Horst Heldt, stands to gain over €25 million by selling both Doekhi and Leite, who are both in the final year of their contracts. Meanwhile, young defender Leopold Querfeld has been anchoring the back-three under head coach Steffen Baumgart.

With Hoffenheim loanee Stanley Nsoki now fit and available, Baumgart has additional options at his disposal. Given Union’s comfortable position against relegation this season, they can also explore the transfer market for replacements funded by the sales of Doekhi and Leite.