The newspaper reported on its website on January 19 that the Scottish left-back was on the verge of a “rebound move” from Hellas Verona, with the move expected to be completed on the same day.
Los Blancos are said to be interested in the 21-year-old player with the aim of strengthening their full-back position during the January transfer window, but they have not yet reached the point of making a ‘formal offer’.
In Italy, where he will likely remain, a £5m transfer and £850,000 worth of reinforcements were made.
Leeds United Doig is awaiting a four-and-a-half year contract at Sassuolo, having been close to a move to Marseille before Verona pulled out.
With Sam Byram and Junior Firpo both suffering significant injuries this season, Daniel Farke’s priority is likely to be left-back, while Jed Spence and Luke Ayling Due to his unexpected departure, there is an increased need for reinforcements on the right side.
Absent Leeds United could have afforded to sign Doig if they really wanted him, but it wouldn’t have been cheap for a Championship club who spent so much money in the summer.
As the deadline approaches, it will become harder for clubs to reach financially satisfactory deals, and as new players arrive and the end of the month approaches, a change of pace will be needed at some point.
Unless the proposed addition is a clear upgrade like Byram or Archie Gray, it’s probably best to go for a loan deal on either side of the defense.
Leeds United And with promotion still the goal, there is little point in spending long-term money on a player who fits this level but won’t necessarily be useful in the Premier League.
However, if Leeds United are unable to sign someone before the deadline closes, they will undoubtedly be very weak, especially with the constant question of fitness on the left.
Gray and Jamie Shackleton were solid substitutes on the right, but getting the ill-positioned and injury-prone pair to run in was something everyone at Elland Road had planned for at the start of the season.
That’s impossible.
Byram is the only option at either fullback position.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay says another permanent departure is being considered following behind-the-scenes developments at Elland Road.
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