Josh Doig is expected to join Sassuolo after flying for a physical on Thursday night (18 January), following January interest from Leeds United, according to The Times.
On January 19, the tabloid stated via their website that the Scottish left-back is on the brink of a “bumper move” from Hellas Verona, with the transfer to be completed later that day.
The Whites were rumored to be interested in the 21-year-old as they look to bolster at full-back during the January transfer window, but having never actually advanced to a putting in a “formal bid,” he will now stay in Italy after a £5 million move with £850,000 in add-ons. Doug has a four and a half year contract waiting for him at Sassuolo, having come close to moving to Marseille earlier in the window before Verona pulled the plug. A priority for Daniel Farke is reportedly left-back because both Sam Byram and Junior Firpo are dealing with serious injury issues this season, and the unplanned departures of Djed Spence and Luke Ayling have increased the need for additions on the right.
Missed out
It appears that Leeds United could have paid for Doig if they had been serious about acquiring him, but his cost would have been high for a Championship team that made significant summer spending commitments.
The club is having trouble coming to a financial agreement as the deadline draws near, and as the end of the month draws near, it will probably be necessary to make some changes to the playing field in order to make room for new players.
Unless the players coming in were clear upgrades over Byram or Archie Gray, a loan on either side of the defense is probably best.
Leeds United
Furthermore, it would be foolish to spend money on long-term players who fit in at this level but may not be useful in the Premier League, given that promotion is still the goal.
But with fitness concerns a fixture on the left, Leeds United will surely be very light if they are unable to bring anyone in before the window closes.
Although Gray and Jamie Shackleton have performed admirably as stand-ins on the right, having Firpo and Byram, who are prone to injuries, as the only choices at either full-back position as the season approaches, cannot be what anyone at Elland Road had intended.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims that following events at Elland Road, a second permanent departure is now likely.
Follow us on Facebook for more Leeds news, or sign up for our brand-new WhatsApp channel to receive updates instantly to your phone.
Leave a Comment