Danilho Doekhi will now leave Vitesse Arnhem for free at the end of the season following his Eredivisie club vetoing interest from Rangers and two Serie A sides over a January transfer.
That’s according to De Gelderlander, who report Vitesse elected to keep the centre-half and teammate Riechedly Bazoer against strong interest. The GelreDome natives chose to rebuff all approaches for the pair in order not to weaken manager Thomas Letsch’s options.
Vites feel they can still challenge for honours in the Europa Conference League and KNVB Cup this season. The Gelderland province outfit visit Dutch giants Ajax in the quarter-final of their domestic cup next Wednesday. They then face Rapid Vienna in Europe on February 17.
Doekhi is an integral piece of Letsch’s backline as the captain of the GelreDome natives. He has started all 24 of his appearances in all competitions so far this season. He also helped to a clean sheet against Tottenham Hotspur in a 1-0 Conference League group stage win.
The 23-year-old’s performances put his name on shortlists around Europe in January as clubs courted centre-half signings. Rangers, Atalanta and Napoli approached Vitesse to discuss transfers for Doekhi. But the Vites hierarchy vetoed his and Bazoer’s exits.
Rangers target Doekhi to leave Vitesse in free summer transfer
Rangers’ January target Doekhi will now leave Vitesse in a free transfer this summer as his contract expires in June. Vites felt his importance in Letsch’s backline outweighed the funds a mid-season exit would offer. He can also agree a larger salary and bonus as a free agent.
Reports by the Daily Record also cited Rangers’ interest in a January transfer for Vitesse ace Doekhi. Additionally, they noted Vites wanted £2m for who Giovanni van Bronckhorst considered as a potential replacement for the Gers’ summer free agent, Connor Goldson.
So, Van Bronckhorst could look to revive the Gers’ interest in the ex-Netherlands U21 star in a free summer deal. Goldson is still to sign new terms at Ibrox with his deal ending in May.
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