Lazio have made contact with Danilho Doekhi, who left Union Berlin after his contract expired and is available on a free transfer. The 27-year-old Dutch defender could be an option for the Roman club, who are looking to strengthen their defense after the departures of Mario Gila and the imminent transfer of Alessio Romagnoli. Union finished last season in 11th place in the Bundesliga with 39 points (10 wins, 9 draws, 15 losses).
Why does Lazio need a center-back?
The Biancocelesti have already lost two defenders: Gila moved to AC Milan, while Romagnoli is set to join Al-Sadd in Qatar. With only Oliver Provstgaard, Patric, and Samuel Gigot remaining, manager Gennaro Gattuso is looking for reinforcements, preferably a right-footed player to pair with the left-footed Provstgaard.
Why Doekhi as an alternative?
Lazio initially showed interest in Diogo Leite, Doekhi’s former teammate at Union. However, the Portuguese suffered an injury in the winter, and Lazio pulled out of the deal. Doekhi, who scored 16 goals in 137 appearances for Union, could now be a cost-effective alternative. The 1.91-meter-tall defender joined Union from Vitesse Arnhem in 2022 and established himself as a key player in the Bundesliga.
What does this mean for Union?
Union Berlin scored 44 goals and conceded 58 last season, resulting in a goal difference of -14. With Doekhi’s departure, the team loses an experienced defender who was also a threat in attack. The final match of the season ended in a 4-0 win against Augsburg, but the recent form shows two wins, one draw, and two losses in the last five games (WWDLL).
