Leeds nearing purchase of Union Berlin defensive scoring specialist Danilho Doekhi (27) | OneFootball

Sky Sports reports that Leeds are hopeful of acquiring Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi this January. The Dutch defender has been a highly prolific scorer in the current Bundesliga campaign, heading home four league goals. Doekhi has also scored twice in the Pokal for a total of six goals across all competitions. 

Union are prepared to cash in on Doekhi

Doekhi sits on an expiring contract and is known to fancy a change of scenery. Doekhi’s Bundesliga outfit will be pleased to sell their €13m-valued central defender rather than lose him on a free transfer at the end of the season. Doekhi is free to negotiate a free transfer to another club as soon as the January transfer window opens. 

Union have been fending off interest in both Doekhi and his fellow highly rated central defensive partner Diogo Leite for quite some time. One possible impediment to the Leeds transfer could be the fact that – after a last-minute outgoing transfer fell through last autumn – Leite may definitely be on the move out of Köpenick this month. 

Daniel Farke determined to bring Doekhi to Leeds

Sky and other German footballing media sources such as Kicker and transfermarkt.de nevertheless report that Leeds head coach Daniel Farke considers Doekhi to be the perfect fit for his back-three. One of Farke’s regular starters Joe Rodon recently succumbed to injury and immediate assistance is needed. 

Union managing director Horst Heldt can generate upwards of €25m in additional revenue by selling both Doekhi and Leite, both of whom sit on expiring contracts. Young Leopold Querfeld currently anchors FCU head coach Steffen Baumgart’s own back-three. 

Baumgart has other options now that Hoffenheim loanee Stanley Nsoki is once again fit and available. Union – considered safe from relegation this year – can also procure replacements in the transfer market with the inlays generated by Doekhi and Leite’s sales. 

GGFN | Peter Weis