​Lazio are reportedly shifting their transfer focus toward Danilho Doekhi, who recently left Union Berlin after honoring his contract. The Biancocelesti have already sold Mario Gila to AC Milan, and Alessio Romagnoli is set to complete his move to Al-Sadd in the coming days. With Romagnoli departures imminent, coach Gennaro Gattuso is left needing at least one new centre-back to reinforce a defensive unit that already includes Oliver Provstgaard, Patric, and Samuel Gigot.
Earlier this week, Lazio’s sporting director Angelo Fabiani flew to Croatia to discuss a potential deal with Dinamo Zagreb for 21-year-old Spanish defender Sergi Dominguez. However, the two clubs are widely apart on price and terms, leaving Lazio to explore alternative options as the transfer window progresses.
According to prominent Italian insiders Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto, Lazio have opened dialogue with Doekhi, who has been a free agent since the beginning of the month. While details remain sketchy at the moment, expect further updates as negotiations develop in the hours and days ahead.
Interestingly, Lazio previously had an agreement in principle with Doekhi’s former Union Berlin defensive partner, Diogo Leite, who also left the club as a free agent. That plan was derailed after Leite sustained an injury in the winter, prompting the Aquile to reconsider the arrangement. Additionally, Leite is left-footed, whereas Lazio’s current priority is to recruit a right-footed centre-back to partner with the left-footed Provestgaard, who is anticipated to inherit Romagnoli’s starting role.
Doekhi hails from Rotterdam and has Surinamese roots. His career began to take shape in the Netherlands when Ajax snatched him from the youth ranks in 2016, before selling him to Vitesse two years later. In 2022, he joined Union Berlin on a free transfer. At Union Berlin, Doekhi made 137 appearances and demonstrated an ability to contribute goals from the back line, scoring 16 times across his time with the Bundesliga club.
As Lazio chart a path through the current center-back market, the club are keen to secure a robust and versatile defender who can adapt to Gattuso’s defensive philosophy. Doekhi’s mix of physicality, pace, and aerial prowess could add a valuable dimension to Lazio’s backline, particularly if paired with Provstgaard, who is seen as a long-term cornerstone for the defense. The pursuit of a right-footed centre-back is a clear strategic objective for Lazio, aiming to balance the defensive duo and provide driving options from the flanks.
With Romagnoli heading for Al-Sadd and Gila traded to Milan, Lazio’s central defense roster will undergo a notable reshuffle. Doekhi’s potential arrival would signal Lazio’s intent to recruit a dynamic and modern defender who can cope with the rigors of Serie A while offering ball-playing capabilities and robust defensive instincts. As the transfer window continues to unfold, Lazio supporters will be watching closely to see whether Doekhi becomes the first new face in a refreshed backline that could help the club mount a more competitive challenge in domestic and European campaigns.