Leeds United’s chances of securing a January swoop for Union Berlin star Danilho Doekhi have been assessed as the player looks set to leave the German capital.
Daniel Farke is looking to strengthen his Leeds side for the Premier League run-in after a run of positive results saw the Whites climb out of the bottom three.
All of the talk after Leeds’ failed pursuit of Harry Wilson in the summer transfer window was that the 49ers would prioritise attacking targets in the January window.
However, with Joe Rodon set for a spell on the sidelines through injury, Leeds have been linked with a move to strengthen their options in defence in recent days.
Danilho Doekhi of Union Berlin is one name reportedly on Leeds’ radar. Now, the chances of Union Berlin allowing him to leave with immediate effect have been revealed by the German media.
Should Leeds sign a replacement for Joe Rodon or finally hand Sebastiaan Bornauw a chance? 🤔
The Belgian has played just two minutes of Premier League football since his £5.1m move from VfL Wolfsburg in July… 😬
Union Berlin’s stance on January move for Danilho Doekhi revealed
With Doekhi’s contract set to expire at the end of the current season, Union Berlin have a difficult decision to make over whether to cash in on their prized asset in January or hold onto him until the end of the season before losing him on a free transfer.
According to the German publication Bild, with fellow defender Diogo Leite also out of contract at the end of the season, Union may be more inclined to sell Leite and retain Doekhi in the current transfer window.
The report states: “The contracts of key players Diogo Leite (26) and Danilho Doekhi (27) expire this summer.
“Both want to leave the club and will not extend their contracts. One of them is expected to leave in the winter transfer window to at least secure a transfer fee.
“The defence was the crown jewel of the first half of the season. Doekhi, in particular, shone as a defender – four Bundesliga goals, plus two in the cup.
“Union will likely want to keep him for the second half of the season to achieve their goal of staying in the league. The trend is leaning towards Leite, who stayed at Union longer than expected after his transfer saga in the summer.”
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Danilho Doekhi could line up alongside former Leeds United man at the World Cup
With Daniel Farke weighing up his options in the January transfer window and Union reluctant to allow their star defender to leave, there is some work to do on this deal.
However, Leeds could lean on one of their former players to help sell life at Elland Road to Doekhi, as he looks to secure his place at the 2026 World Cup.
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Although Doekhi played youth-level football for the Netherlands, he is in the process of switching his allegiance to Suriname, who have a chance of making the showpiece for the first time.
If Doekhi does manage to represent Suriname, he would line up alongside former Leeds man Jay Roy Grot, who also switched allegiance to the former Dutch colony.
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