Leeds take massive transfer gamble with surprise decision

Tom Weber

Updated: 17 Jan 2026 20:17 GMT
4 min read

Leeds United have decided not to pursue a deal for Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi, according to a report.

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The promoted outfit headed into January with the idea of potentially adding a new centre-back due to the injury Joe Rodon sustained shortly before the transfer window opened.

However, we're now almost three weeks into the month, and Leeds have yet to unveil a new defender. Instead, the Elland Road club have signed attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton and explored deals for other offensive reinforcements such as Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Speaking after Saturday's win over Fulham, in which James Justin was used as a makeshift centre-back, head coach Daniel Farke surprisingly revealed that signing a defender is no longer on the agenda.

Despite the recent fitness issues of Rodon, Sebastiaan Bornauw and now Jaka Bijol, Leeds are unlikely to dip into the market unless the latter's injury turns out to be worse than initially thought.

Leeds won't sign Doekhi

"I think it depends a bit on how the next days will develop," Farke explained. "It's predicted [to be] three to five weeks. We will see. Let's see how it develops. [He is an] important player for us.

"If there were to be a setback with Jaka's rehab late in January, we would react," the coach added. "But until then, I'm fine. If something strange happens, I think we should react, but at the moment there's no need for panic."

This means that Leeds will not pursue a move for Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi, who has also received interest from Aston Villa, Wolfsburg and other clubs. The Netherlands international is out of contract in the summer, and could be available for a cut price.

Union director Horst Heldt has admitted that the club can ill-afford to lose him on a free transfer, essentially confirming that they will listen to offers for Doekhi this month. FootballTransfers previously explained that he would be ideal for Farke's system.

However, journalist Graham Smyth has confirmed that a move to Yorkshire is unlikely to materialise. Responding to a fan on X, he wrote: "The 'interest' amounted to the recruitment team looking at him, don't believe it has ever gone further."

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