Leeds United could seal free transfer agreement for player likened to Virgil van Dijk
Elland Road is a hub of positivity following Leeds United’s impressive seven-match unbeaten run that has seen them pull clear of the relegation zone.
Leeds United were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United on Sunday, with results elsewhere seeing them move eight points above 18th-place West Ham.
The mood around the club has completely transformed since the start of December when Daniel Farke was at risk of being sacked, with the German’s tactical change to a 3-5-2 system working wonders.
Leeds travel to face Newcastle United on Wednesday evening, and although Farke will be fully focused on extending their unbeaten run to eight matches, he will have one eye on the transfer market.
🚨🔴⚪️ EXCL | A decision has been made: Danilho #Doekhi intends to leave Union Berlin on a free transfer no later than summer 2026, as his contract expires then. A January move is not ruled out.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 10, 2025
Top Bundesliga clubs are interested, and there are enquiries from England, Italy,… pic.twitter.com/OSxSiJx9jj
Leeds could seal free transfer for Danilho Doekhi
In a window where the Whites are limited with PSR, not much business is expected at Elland Road, although the club’s hierarchy are prioritising moves for a new number 10 and centre-back.
Harry Wilson is, of course, one of their top targets for an attacking midfield role, while Leeds have been linked with Danilho Doekhi from Union Berlin as a possible centre-back option.
Farke once tried to sign Doekhi from Vitesse Arnhem during his time at Norwich City in 2021, and with his contract expiring in June, the German could finally get his hands on the 27-year-old.
Doekhi has become a stalwart in the Bundesliga since moving to Union Berlin in 2022, with the Dutchman excelling at both ends of the pitch.
| Danilho Doekhi 2025/26 Bundesliga stats |
| 15 appearances |
| 4 goals |
| 4 clean sheets |
| 2 tackles per game |
| 1.3 interceptions per game |
| 5.3 clearances per game |
Standing at 6′ 3″, the former Ajax under-21 star excels with his aerial ability, having found the net a whopping six times in 18 appearances across all competitions in 2025/26.
Therefore, the Union centre-back would add extra goal-scoring threat to a backline that has excelled since the system switch, and he’s already been compared to a world-class player.
- Read More: Leeds United fans surely in dreamland as Daniel Farke confirms key player will stay at Elland Road
Doekhi has been likened to Virgil van Dijk
When analysing all of his attributes together, including his calmness in possession and leading with authority from the back, Doekhi has been compared to Virgil van Dijk, one of the best defenders of the modern era.
That was a comparison made by the official Bundesliga website in June 2023, which wrote: “Much like his compatriot, the Liverpool central defender Virgil van Dijk, Doekhi appears ultra calm when assessing all around him and leads with authority from the back.
“His height and physical strength mark him out as an imposing figure, and he likes nothing more than tracking tricky attackers before timing tackles to perfection. Once in possession, he can quickly reverse the passage of play by using his impressive range of passing.”
Leeds have been told that signing Doekhi is a ‘no-brainer’, and comparisons to Van Dijk only reinforce why he would be an excellent addition.