The Scottish left-back is about to make a “bumper move” from Hellas Verona, according to a report published by the daily on their website on January 19. The transfer is expected to be finalised later that day.

The 21-year-old is set to remain in Italy following a £5 million move with £850,000 in add-ons, despite reports that the Whites were interested in him during the January transfer window as they looked to bolster at full-back. However, they never went so far as to submit a “formal bid.”

Doig, who nearly moved to Marseille earlier in the window before Verona pulled the plug, now has a four and a half-year contract waiting for him at Sassuolo.

Daniel Farke is thought to prioritise left-backs, as evidenced by the serious injury problems Junior Firpo and Sam Byram have experienced this season. The untimely departures of Djed Spence and Luke Ayling have also made it more necessary to recruit players on the right side.

Missed out

Doig would not have been cheap for a Championship team that spent a good deal of money in the summer, but it appears Leeds United could have afforded him if they truly wanted him.

As the deadline draws nearer, it appears that the club is finding it challenging to reach a financially advantageous agreement. As the end of the month draws near, it will probably be necessary to make some changes to the current roster to make room for new players.

In most cases, a loan on either side of the defence is best unless the players who were supposed to arrive were clear improvements over Byram or Archie Grey.

Spending money on long-term players who fit in at this level but may not be useful in the Premier League would also be counterproductive, since promotion is still the ultimate goal.

It is certain that Leeds United will be extremely light if they are unable to add anyone before the window closes, especially with fitness concerns a fixture on the left.

The injury-prone pairing of Firpo and Byram, along with the out-of-position pair, are the sole choices at either full-back post. While Grey and Jamie Shackleton have been reliable stand-ins on the right, this cannot be what Elland Road had intended with the season still underway.