Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Union Berlin and Lazio are working on a deal to send centre-back Diogo Leite to the Serie A. The report must nevertheless be taken with the proverbial grain of salt, however, as Di Marzio claims that Union are prepared to accept only €2.5m for the €12m-valued defender they once paid €7m for.
Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi sit on expiring contracts
One expects a great deal of rumors to fly around the two FCU centre-backs sitting on expiring contracts as the January 2026 transfer window draws to a close. The contractual situation of both Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite also leave the duo available to negotiate free transfers after the season with other clubs.
Union themselves are rumored to be working to obtain Belgian U21 international Zeno Van Den Bosch on a free after the season. Should Leite depart, Union may have to push to acquire Van Den Bosch immediately.
Horst Heldt and the FCU administrative team could also refocus some of their efforts on the central defensive targets they came close to acquiring during the summer transfer window. In any event, Leite’s departure necessitates at least one new January signing.
