Hot Gossip: Union Berlin's Defenders in the Spotlight Again!
Union Berlin allegedly undertaking a full defense overhaul?
Rumors swirling about Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi, the rock-solid duo at 1. FC Union Berlin, have reared their heads once more. According to the whispers, British powerhouse West Ham United, Italian powerhouses AC Florence and Lazio Rome, and English outfit Crystal Palace are pondering a move for the Dutch sensation Danilho Doekhi. The interest in these players isn't unexpected, given their spectacular performances for Union Berlin in the previous Bundesliga season. Leite, valued at a whopping 17 million euros, takes the crown as Union Berlin’s most expensive player as per the latest update from transfermarkt.de, while Doekhi shares second place with Leopold Querfeld.
Union Berlin's defense, a fortress over large parts of the previous season, remains solid--for now. But what if the transfer rumors come to fruition? What will happen to Kevin Vogt, who wasn't technically in the game under Steffen Baumgart? Will Paul Jaeckel come back to Union Berlin or stay with second-division side Eintracht Braunschweig? Who might be the new left-back, or even one for the right side?
Memories of past transfers linger, as Union Berlin ponders whether it should've snagged a certain former striker or if it will get a second chance with another a season from now.
There's no rest for the wicked, and it seems there's no rest for Union Berlin, either, as they find themselves embroiled in yet another transfer saga. The situation with Kevin Vogt seems clear: he's likely to bid farewell to the club. Not satisfied with a season on the bench or even on the sidelines at Stadion An der Alten Försterei, Vogt might have already played his last game for Union.
The Frenchman Romain Perraud of Betis Sevilla is an intriguing prospect for the left defensive side. With 28 league games and 10 Conference League games under his belt last season, he's caught the eye. Diario de Sevilla reports that Betis is seeking at least a €3.5 million transfer fee, and the Iron Ones aren't the only ones chasing the left-back, with VfL Wolfsburg, FSV Mainz 05, and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim also reportedly interested.
Another name surfacing in Union Berlin rumors this week is Berlin native and former Hertha Berliner Louis Oppie from Bundesliga newcomers and DFB-Pokal finalists Arminia Bielefeld. Steve Kapuadi of Legia Warsaw is also rumored to be a potential candidate for Union's central defense, but his signing would only make sense if Leite or Doekhi, both with release clauses in their contracts, were to leave the club this summer.
In a twist of fate, what becomes of Vogt and the positions of any new players recruited will likely decide whether Steffen Baumgart sticks with his preferred back three or goes for a breakthrough with a back four formation next season. Even if Baumgart decides to go for a back four, the transfer market will continue to buzz about Union Berlin as they could once again find themselves as buyers or sellers in the coming weeks. The question is, will we see the end of the era of Leite and Doekhi at Union Berlin this summer? Stay tuned for updates!
Enrichment Data:
- Diogo Leite:
- Diogo Leite, the 26-year-old center-back at Union Berlin, is a hot commodity, with clubs from the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A vying for his services.
- West Ham United is reportedly the frontrunner, eyeing him as the key piece to bolster their defense for the upcoming season. AC Milan and RB Leipzig also courted him last summer, showing sustained interest.
- Leite's defense skills are highly lauded, with his interception, block, and defensive positioning numbers ranking among the top Bundesliga center-backs. He's also technically sound in possession and passing, making him an attractive target for tactically-minded managers like West Ham's Graham Potter.
- There's a strong probability that Leite will switch clubs during the current summer transfer window. However, as of mid-June 2025, he is still with Union Berlin but out for the rest of the season due to a neck injury.
- Danilho Doekhi:
- Doekhi remains part of Union Berlin's squad and features in potential lineups, indicating he's still with the team as of now.
- There are no specific news reports or transfer rumors suggesting an imminent move or strong interest from other clubs for Doekhi this summer.
The ongoing transfer speculation revolving around Union Berlin's central defenders, Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi, has led to a frenzy amongst top European leagues. Premier League side West Ham United, Italian teams AC Florence and Lazio Rome, and English outfit Crystal Palace are reportedly contemplating a move for the Netherlands sensation Doekhi. Meanwhile, Leite, Union Berlin's most expensive player worth 17 million euros, could potentially be on his way out due to interest from various clubs, including West Ham United and RB Leipzig.
