Leeds United will rival Rangers and a whole host of other European clubs to sign highly rated defender Josh Doig.
The Whites are looking to beef up their squad this January as they continue to push for Premier League promotion. After a fantastic run at the end of the last international break which saw Leeds United lose just one game between October and early December, the team has experienced a slight blip.
Leeds have won just one game in their last five; losing three – with two losses coming against promotion rivals West Brom and Sunderland.
Daniel Farke is frustrated by the club’s recent form, and Leeds could look to the transfer window to improve the fortunes of the team.
Hellas Verona left back Josh Doig has been named as a potential target. The 21-year old Scotsman made a name for himself in his home country, featuring for Hibernian before earning a big move to Italian Serie A side Hellas Verona in 2022.
Doig is said to be a highly rated youngster and has already been a part of Scotland’s senior men’s national team, with his last call up coming during the November international break.
Former Hibernian boss Lee Johnson described Doig as a “powerhouse” citing his athleticism and ability to fly up and down the flank. Doig is also an attacking fullback who loves to get up the pitch – something that would interest Daniel Farke.
Signing Doig would be a massive coup, as the left back depth at Leeds United has been an issue for quite some time. This season, Sam Byram has filled in the role despite not being a natural left footer. Junior Firpo is also an option to play at left back, however the player’s fitness and injury issues prevent him from being available most of the time.
Doig is under contract with Hellas Verona until 2026, which means any deal taking him out of Italy would demand a substantial fee. The youngster was signed for a reported €3million from Hibernian and could cost as much as double that fee for potential suitors this January.
The answer to a season-long problem?
It’s no surprise that manager Daniel Farke has made signing a left-back his number one priority in the January window.
Leeds have had issues all season in the full-back area, with 17-year-old Archie Gray plugging the hole at right-back for much of the campaign allowing Sam Byram to play left-back.
Despite the return of loanee Djed Spence and Junior Firpo from injury, there is still a clear problem for Farke in the full-back positions as he still searches for the obvious answer to the problem.
Farke would have a luxury of options should the club sign Doig, but the need for a natural left-back is one the club has to find an answer for with Firpo’s injury problems and struggles in English football giving the fans little faith.
It would be wrong to presume Doig would just jump at the chance to join Leeds, especially with other clubs in the hunt, but he certainly seems a good fit with his all-action style of play.
At £5 million he seems very affordable and at only 21, he could be a long-term answer to the left-back position.
