Leeds United have been constantly linked with Union Berlin’s Danilho Doekhi throughout 2026, but his teammate could be the man actually on the 49ers’ radar.

Daniel Farke’s attack this summer is going to take most of the attention in the transfer window. But, the club do require reinforcements at the back.

There’s a distinct lack of left-footed depth behind regular starters Gabriel Gudmundsson and Pascal Struijk. The latter could well be on his way if the price is right for an exit, and Leeds need to add in the event of his departure.

Leeds United reportedly in the running for Union Berlin’s Diogo Leite amid links to Danilho Doekhi

Looking at links to centre-backs, fans have clamoured to learn more about Danilho Doekhi ever since links emerged in January. The towering, goal-scoring defender looks a viable free transfer pick-up for any club, hence United intrigue.

However, it looks to me as though Doekhi’s speculated interest at Elland Road is merely an agent keen to maximise interest in his client, who is out of contract at the end of the month.

Doekhi is not the only Union Berlin centre-back due to leave the Bundesliga club for free, though. Portuguese teammate Diogo Leite is also available for nothing.

Importantly, Leite is a left-footer that could perhaps contribute towards filling the void of Struijk leaving. And, journalist Rudy Galetti reports that United are “pushing hard” to sign him.

Alongside Leeds, supposedly, are Turkish giants Besiktas and an unnamed PIF-backed Saudi Arabian outfit. As a result, you’d anticipate that Leite will be subject to very lucrative offers from those two.

Leeds United could make smart free transfer with Diogo Leite move

Standing at 6ft3in and being a left-footer, Leite would make much more sense for Leeds’ squad building than Doekhi.

As much as I wouldn’t really complain if Leeds added Doekhi to the squad, it doesn’t make all that much sense for balance. We have plenty of right-sided defenders to play in just two positions: Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and James Justin.

Whereas, we don’t have any other left-footers other than Struijk that can play on the left of the three. Leite would help relieve some of that stress as a depth signing.

In terms of profile, like Doekhi, Leite is strong in the air and would cover Struijk’s ball progression quite nicely. I wouldn’t be best pleased if we sold Struijk and replaced him with a free 27-year-old.

But, if we ended up with (let’s say) Ladislav Krejci and Leite, that would be a shrewd succession plan to losing Struijk.

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