It hasn't even been a week since Borussia Dortmund finished their 2025-26 season but the club has seemingly begun work for next term already.
With Joane Gadou officially unveiled as BVB's new signing, the wheels of a squad rebuild are clearly in motion as more players are expected to walk into Signal Iduna Park this summer.
BVB ahead in race for Union Berlin star
Die Borussen are on the look out for defensive reinforcements to maintain the resolute standards set last season and there's one centre-back on their radar right now.
Union Berlin's Danilho Doekhi is out of contract with the club this summer and is wanted by a few European sides, including Borussia Dortmund.
According to TEAMtalk, the club has in fact moved ahead in the race for the 27-year-old and are currently locked in a two horse-race with Premier League side Leeds United.
With Doekhi available on a Bosman, the BVB reportedly see the move as economical as they could get a promising, experienced centre-back without having to spend a penny.
Moreover the pull of representing a top European side that brings Champions League football appears more appealing than plying trade for an English side in the lower reaches of the division.
What Doekhi brings to BVB
At 6' 3'', Danilho Doekhi is a tall, sturdy, no-nonsense centre-back who has displayed falcon-like vigilance while guarding the backline and can make crunch tackles too.
He played the entirety of Berlin's Bundesliga campaign last season without missing a single minute's action, which underlined his dependability and consistency.
Doekhi's stellar individual performance against the Bavarians back in November was among the highlights of his season as he made six clearances and won four aerial duels.
Besides, he also netted both of Berlin's goals in that memorable 2-2 draw with the eventual champions, as Doekhi racked up five in total for the season which shows his offensive capabilities too.
Born in the Netherlands, Doekhi is a product of Dutch system that has known to produce legendary defensive figures such as Frank de Boer, Ronald Koeman and Virgil van Dijk.
Should Dortmund pursue him
With Nico Schlotterbeck facing uncertainty over his future at Signal Iduna Park following a bouncy second-half to their 2025-26 season, the BVB would be wise to rope in Doekhi.
Having played in the Bundesliga for the last four years, he could adapt rather quickly and at 27, is in the peak of his career right now. What's more, the Dutchman costs absolutely nothing too.
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