Johannes Spors has told Voetbal International that Vitesse Arnhem must be realistic about their chances of keeping Newcastle United and Rangers target Danilho Doekhi this summer.
The Vitas Technical Director accepts it will be a challenge for him to keep the centre-half at the GelreDome if a top club decides to come in with an offer. But Spors will only sell Doekhi if that offer meets his asking price, in which case the situation becomes ‘interesting’.
Newcastle and Rangers are among the clubs tracking Doekhi’s situation this summer, per De Gelderlander. Fulham, likewise, are keen on the 23-year-old, who the report adds wants to leave Vitesse during the current transfer window.
Doekhi is in the final year of his £2,400-per-week contract at Vitesse, and feels it’s time for a new challenge. Rangers are prepared to hand the defender a three-year deal to move to Ibrox, as well. And Spors has boosted Steven Gerrard and Newcastle’s pursuits.
“We would like to keep Doekhi, but we also have to be realistic,” Spors said. “If a nice club can and wants to meet the asking price, then it can be interesting. We don’t want Doekhi to go, but we also understand that we train at Vitesse.”
The GelreDome side ended last season fourth in the Eredivisie standings to qualify for the Europa League play-offs. Manager Thomas Letsch also led Vitas to the KNVB Cup final, but lost the tie to Ajax.
Spors boosts Newcastle and Rangers in Doekhi pursuit
Spors’ comments on Vitesse having to be realistic about keeping Doekhi will come as a boost to Rangers and Newcastle. It offers both sides a little bit more hope of adding the centre-half to Gerrard or Steve Bruce’s squads, and potentially at a compromised fee.
The 6 ft 2 enforcer has a lot of potential to show in the Premiership or Premier League with either. Doekhi is a Netherlands U21 international and only failed to start two Eredivisie fixtures all season last term.
He also scored his first goal for Vitesse in January, added two assists to his record and wore the captain’s armband for the first time in April. His future is almost certain to be bright, and could be in Scotland or England from next season.
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