Leeds United’s priority for the January window is going to be adding attacking strength. But, there’s been a real strong link to a new centre-back signing in Union Berlin’s Danilho Doekhi.

We’re already around halfway through the January window. Despite time being of the essence, United are yet to really look like making any progress on incoming signings as of yet.

Daniel Farke has stressed his contentedness with his squad, but continues to admit that the club ought to act fast if opportunities present themselves.

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Leeds United sources outline Daniel Farke’s transfer priority during January window

The depth Leeds have compared to most of the Premier League is rather slim. So, there’s rationale behind targeting a number of positions as a result.

However, The Athletic have revealed that the club remain largely focused on the final third for investment this month:

“Reinforcing Leeds United’s attack is the priority for the club’s recruitment team in January,” Beren Cross writes. “The club ended the summer window without Harry Wilson or the extra forwards Daniel Farke felt they needed. Those vacancies remain.”

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is looking for attacking signings during January. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)

It makes sense too. Leeds’ attempts after landing Noah Okafor in the summer were centred on adding a right-winger to the fold, Farke said as much.

Failure to land Facundo Buonanotte and the now-in-form Harry Wilson left Leeds short of an out-and-out creator in the final third, capable of playing off the right or centrally behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Add to that the imminent departure of squad option Jack Harrison – leaving on loan to Fiorentina – and Leeds’ attacking options are even shorter than they were before thew window opened.

Will Leeds United make serious approach to sign Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi?

The only real transfer link to have emerged thus far is Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi.

The Dutch-born Suriname international makes plenty of sense, given Sebastiaan Bornauw’s worrying setback vs Derby County. Plus our shift to an aggressive, aerially dominant 3-5-2 lends itself to a towering 6ft3in centre-back with six goals to his name this season.

Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi is on Leeds United’s radar for a possible 2026 move, according to reports. (REUTERS/Annegret Hilse)

It does contradict the notion that Leeds are targeting the attack this month, though. He’s a centre-back after all. However, the above report also notes that while Leeds want final third additions, Doekhi is someone the club’s recruitment staff have cast their eye over.

“While the messaging from the club has insisted attackers are the January priority, sources with knowledge of Leeds’s transfer plans, who asked to be kept anonymous to protect relationships, have acknowledged Danilho Doekhi is one centre-back they have evaluated and admire,” Cross continues. “It remains to be seen whether a transfer materialises this month, in the summer or not at all, but he ticks a lot of their boxes in that position.”

Out of contract in the summer, Doekhi could be available for a bargain sum this month. That is, if we can stretch our limited budget. Failing that, he’d still be a viable signing in the summer for free if we stay in the Premier League.

Leeds United should not be prioritising Danilho Doekhi signing unless centre-back depth gets worse

We do not have enough money to address each shortcoming that everyone can identify right now. So, centre-back, to me, falls down the list of priorities.

Without Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon, we coped against Manchester United. We competed and almost coped with a makeshift squad at Newcastle. However, if we lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin to injury, I do not believe we will look even remotely as competent without him.

In my opinion, that’s the most obvious priority, to ease the burden on Calvert-Lewin keeping fit for the remainder of the campaign. Signing a reliable backup would go a long way to ensuring our consistency moving forward.

This isn’t to say I’d be complaining at the signing of Doekhi. He’d improve our defence without doubt and wouldn’t cost much, but he’s just not the most crucial addition we could make.

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