Leeds United have turned their attention to strengthening the heart of their defence following Pascal Struijk’s departure to Brighton last month.
With Harry Wilson already through the door to boost the attack, Daniel Farke is now keen to reinforce his back line before the new season gets underway.
The Leeds boss is hoping to sign two centre-backs this summer. The Whites have already made a contract offer to Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic and are working to reach an agreement in the coming days.
But the club are not stopping there. Leeds are also targeting another central defender and could yet hijack a move for a player they have been monitoring for several months.
Leeds United handed a chance to hijack centre-back deal
The Whites have stepped up their efforts to bring in a couple of centre-backs to improve their defence ahead of the new season.
Leeds are pushing hard to sign Sassuolo defender Muharemovic, and have also opened talks with the agent of Udinese centre-back Oumar Solet.
However, both deals are likely to be expensive, and Leeds could now have a chance to hijack a free transfer deal for a defender they have been eyeing for months.
Danilho Doekhi has been on Leeds’ radar since the winter transfer window, and he is now available on a free transfer after leaving Union Berlin at the end of last season.
According to Sky Deutschland reporter Florian Plettenberg, Lazio have a verbal agreement in place to sign the centre-back this summer.
However, it is not a done deal yet, and the former Union Berlin star has yet to decide whether he wants to join the Serie A giants this summer.
Several other clubs remain in the mix for Doekhi, and he is keen to look at other offers before deciding his future ahead of the new season.
Lazio are in pole position to sign him, but they still do not have the defender’s final nod of approval.
Leeds must hijack the deal for Danilho Doekhi
Danilho Doekhi is a player Leeds have been tracking for months, and Daniel Farke and the recruitment team clearly admire the centre-back.
The club have been interested in him since the winter transfer window, and it seems certain that they would get involved to sign him on a free transfer.
However, Leeds appear to be looking at young centre-backs who are not as experienced as Doekhi but are likely to be very expensive this summer.
Signing Doekhi on a free transfer is a huge market opportunity for Leeds, and it is not too late yet for them to get involved in the race to sign him.
Leeds still need to spend big on a striker, a goalkeeper and a left-footed centre-back to replace Pascal Struijk. Picking up an experienced defender like Doekhi on a free transfer would save them millions.
