{"id":935995,"date":"2026-05-04T00:18:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T00:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/935995\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T00:18:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T00:18:16","slug":"after-danilho-doekhi-3-free-transfers-leeds-united-must-pursue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/935995\/","title":{"rendered":"After Danilho Doekhi: 3 free transfers Leeds United must pursue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leeds United<\/a> have set sights on Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi<\/a> this summer as his contract expires.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Survival from relegation in the Premier League has to come before the 49ers formalise any transfer plans for the summer. <\/p>\n

However, reports from Fabrizio Romano<\/a> this week claimed that the Whites are eyeing Union Berlin\u2019s Danilho Doekhi<\/a> on a free transfer.<\/p>\n

Out of contract in the summer, Doekhi would be available for nothing as Leeds face competition from Borussia Dortmund and PIF-backs Saudi Arabian clubs.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d be a smart free agent signing, in my opinion. And, he\u2019s not the only player out of contract that United should be looking at. Here, I explore three others that could fill key gaps in Daniel Farke\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n

Daichi Kamada, midfielder \u2013 Crystal Palace<\/p>\n

Further up the pitch, Leeds are going to need a pass-first midfielder that can break through the lines in the final third and connect our midfield to our attack.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve often gone direct since this change in formation, and it\u2019s worked. But, to become a more rounded side, someone that can offer us the middle ground would be ideal. That could be Crystal Palace\u2019s Daichi Kamada.<\/p>\n

Ao Tanaka\u2019s Japan international teammate, Kamada has been a strong part of Oliver Glasner\u2019s success at Selhurst Park, also playing in a three-at-the-back setup.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s used to playing in a high-pressing setup under Glasner and in the Bundesliga too, so should have no issues operating in this system. <\/p>\n

Leeds might need to go out and sign an ambitious attacking midfielder. But, if Kamada is going for free and willing, he\u2019d be a definite improvement on the options we have in that role.<\/p>\n

Dennis Cirkin \u2013 left-back \u2013 Sunderland<\/p>\n

Back in the defence, it\u2019s obvious that a main weakness of our squad is the lack of left-footers. Gabriel Gudmundsson has been tremendous, as has been Pascal Struijk, but they\u2019re our only two left-footed players in the defence.<\/p>\n

Jayden Lienou is probably a loan or two away from being first team ready, so Sunderland\u2019s Dennis Cirkin would be a nice option.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s struggled with injury this season, meaning he\u2019s only made 7 appearances under Regis Le Bris in the league. But, his first of the campaign was a strong display against us at the Stadium of Light.<\/p>\n

As an understudy to Gudmundsson, Cirkin could provide Leeds with similar thrust as the Swede while ensuring we don\u2019t run him into the ground.<\/p>\n

Xaver Schlager, midfielder \u2013 RB Leipzig<\/p>\n

Finishing off in midfield, there\u2019s scope for Leeds perhaps improving on the backup options behind Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach. Both are both top-half quality and guaranteed starters.<\/p>\n

I wonder if Ilia Gruev\u2019s season-ending knee injury<\/a> means we\u2019ve seen the last of him in a Leeds shirt. If the club get a decent fee for him with 12 months left on his contract, he could be someone we wish well and replace shrewdly. RB Leipzig\u2019s Xaver Schlager may be worth having a look at.<\/p>\n

Injuries are probably what stops him from having top clubs vying for his signature. But, that could suit Leeds like it did Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor. As a squad option, he wouldn\u2019t be forced into playing 90 minutes every week.<\/p>\n

In terms of profile, he\u2019s a left-footer that likes to operate in front of the defence, breaking play and also carrying the ball consistently well.<\/p>\n

At 28, he\u2019s another that\u2019s at a good age for Leeds. He\u2019d come to Elland Road at a \u2018peak\u2019 age to add quality and experience to the squad.<\/p>\n

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