Leeds United tried to sign Porto full-back Zhaidu Sanusi in January, but the defender ultimately turned down the chance to move to the Premier League.
Sanusi has been at Porto since 2020, arriving from Santa Clara in a move worth around €4m (£3.4m). He has since made over 120 appearances for the club in all competitions.
The left-back’s contract still runs until 2027 and remains an experienced option in Porto’s defensive rotation.
As we covered at the timeThere was speculation that the club was close to signing the experienced full-back during the winter market. Sanusi, now 28, offers strong physical attributes and extensive European experience, including appearances in the Champions League and Europa League.
Its confirmation has now come out from Portugal newspaper. game This followed comments from Porto manager Francesco Farioli, who pointed out that the Nigerian had a concrete opportunity to leave during the winter period.
There was also interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Leeds United were among the clubs actively looking for a deal.
The Porto manager’s explanation came while discussing why the defender was not used in recent league matches against Sporting and Benfica. Farioli said the decisions were related to team management and tactical choices rather than any issue with the player.
January move discussed
Speaking about the situation, the Porto coach confirmed that Sanusi had a real chance to leave during the winter window, with Premier League clubs making contact.
“He had a good opportunity to move to the Premier League in January,” Farioli explained.
The manager revealed that he had spoken directly to the defender as his playing time was limited at the start of the season. Despite that situation, Sanusi made it clear that he would prefer to stay and compete for a role.
“I talked to him about what he wanted because he didn’t have a lot of minutes in the first half of the season,” The coach said. “His response was clear. He said he was happy to remain in the team and play a role.”
Patience paid off in Porto
Sanusi’s decision to remain has been gradually rewarded with greater involvement. He featured in league matches against Nacional, Rio Ave and Arauca earlier this year, helping to rebuild momentum after a quiet start to the campaign.
In all competitions this season, he has made double-digit appearances for Porto. Although he is not always a guaranteed starter, he remains a reliable option in Farioli’s team.
The manager has repeatedly praised the defender’s professionalism and attitude, highlighting his commitment even when not starting matches regularly.
“He is making very good progress and is one of the exemplary players,” Farioli said. “Zaidu has incredible commitment to the team and the club. He is loved by the fans. You can hear a different noise when he touches the ball at Dragão.”
What this could mean for Leeds United
For Leeds United, the revelation confirms that the club were solely monitoring Premier League-ready options rather than long-term prospects.
Sanusi’s profile is perfect for that type of move. A physically strong, high-energy full-back with experience in European competitions and a relatively modest market value. According to Transfermarkt, he is currently valued at around €3m (£2.6m). Realistically, it will cost a lot.
Although the January move did not come to fruition, the situation highlights the type of defensive reinforcements Leeds United are searching for. If similar needs arise again in the summer, Sanusi’s name may not be completely out of the discussion.
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