Leeds United and Sunderland 'very interested' in Serie A loan deal as demands set for Whites defensive target

Leeds United and Sunderland are reportedly ‘very interested’ in securing a loan deal for a Serie A striker during the January transfer window.

The Whites boosted their forward line with the free transfer signing of former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the summer and the England international has proved to be a shrewd addition after embarking on a run of seven goals in his last seven games as Leeds have enjoyed a promising run of form. However, there are limited options at the top end of the pitch and reports in Italy have suggested the Whites are keen on a loan deal for Roma frontman Artem Dovbyk after initially being linked with the Ukraine striker during the summer.

However, the report also suggests Premier League rivals Sunderland are also showing an interest in the former Girona man as the Black Cats look to boost their squad in a bid to build on what has been an outstanding first half of the season.

Writing on TuttoMercato, he said: “Roma has been working for days to give Gasperini at least a reinforcement in attack. The Giallorossi have practically reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for (Giacomo) Raspadori. The agreement is an oner loan at 2 million with a redemption right at 19 million that can become an obligation under certain conditions. Now it's up to the player who took some time before deciding his future. Dovbyk always remains on the way out. For the Ukrainian striker, a loan transfer is looming, most likely in England where Leeds and Sunderland are very interested.”

Bundesliga club set January stance for Whites target

Leeds have been strongly linked with a move for a player leading the way for most headed goals from a defender across European football’s top five leagues since he arrived at his current club just over three years ago.

The injury suffered by Whites defender Joe Rodon in last weekend’s draw at Sunderland has reportedly led Leeds to consider adding another centre-back to their squad during the January transfer window and a report from teamTALK has suggested Union Berlin’s Danilho Doekhi is a ‘prime target’. The 27-year-old joined the Bundesliga club from Vitesse Arnhem during the summer of 2022 and has scored 15 goals in 118 appearances during his time in Germany and the report claims Doekhi has become renowned for his ‘physical dominance, aerial prowess, and unexpected goal threat’

The former Netherlands Under-21 international is out of contract this summer and that means Leeds could negotiate a pre-contract agreement before officially signing the centre-back on a free transfer at the end of the season. However, the report suggests that same contract situation has put Union in ‘a vulnerable position’ and that has meant the Bundesliga club would ‘prefer a January sale’ and would be looking to secure a fee of around £11.3m, rather than lose the defender for nothing during the summer.

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