Reports: FCU defenders Doekhi and Leite continue to attact lucrative interest
| Portuguese CB Diogo Leite | 1. FC Union Berlin |
A disappointing 2023/24 campaign for Germany's Köpenick capital city side continues to generate departure rumors in the FCU camp. Many high-valued players remain interested in potentially moving to a club that may enable them to again play Champions' League football next season. While the future fate of disaffected German international Robin Gosenscontinues to grab most of the headlines, there are also consistent outgoing links for two high-priced members of the central defensive corps.
Portuguese central defender Diogo Leite (estimated market worth of €15 million) and Dutch center back Danilho Doekhi (estimated market worth of €17 million) have been linked with moves abroad. Journalist and transfer expert Rudy Galetti reports that Real Marid, Sevilla FC, and AC Milan are all interested in procuring Leite. The 25-year-old has also been linked with Bundesliga Champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen as a potential replacement for Jonathan Tah. Union paid €7.5 million in January 2023 to sign Leite permanently.
FCU management may jump at the opportunity to turn a profit on both Leite and Doekhi. The latter was signed on a free from Vitesse Arnhem in May of 2022. His estimated market worth has since increased four-fold. Germany's "Sport Bild" tabloid reports that OGC Nice is preparing to submit a formal offer of €17 million for the 26-year-old. The player himself is thought to favor a change-of-scenery ahead of the new campaign in order to enhance his Dutch national team prospects.
