Zaidu Sanusi 'very likely to seal Leeds United transfer' after contract developments
Leeds have made progress in their search for a Junior Firpo replacement.
The Dominican international looks set to leave Elland Road when his contract expires at the end of the season, despite having the chance to possibly play Premier League football again.
The Whites have Isaac Schmidt waiting in the wings for a first-team opportunity, but he may not get the chance after a new development from Portugal.
Leeds set to bid for Porto star Zaidu Sanusi
Daniel Farke seems set to lose Firpo, in a crushing blow with a lot of work already to be done in the transfer market if his side are promoted.
However, their replacement for the 28-year-old may already be sorted, which would lessen the workload significantly ahead of a busy summer.
A report from Africa Foot (31 March) claims that a source from Zaidu Sanusi's agency, Gestifute, told them that Leeds are preparing a £1.6million offer for the Porto defender.
It states that the Whites will offer a four-year contract to the Nigerian and that the player is keen to make the move, which is now "very likely".
Sanusi can be a great addition for Leeds
If Leeds can pick up the left-back for the reported fee, it would be a bargain and allow them to redistribute funds elsewhere in the market ahead of a potential return to the Premier League.
While Sanusi has been restricted to just six appearances in all competitions this season after returning from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in January, he has a significant amount of experience.
| Competition | Appearances |
| Liga Portugal | 99 |
| Champions League | 28 |
| Taca de Portugal | 16 |
| Europa League | 6 |
The 22-cap international has featured 128 times for the Dragons, including 28 matches in the Champions League, so he would raise standards at Elland Road if he were to make the move.
It could turn out to be a brilliant deal for Leeds, in a similar mould to the Ao Tanaka deal, which has seen a cheap pick up turn into a potential Premier League starting-calibre player.
That is the type of deals that Farke's side needs to make if they are to survive in the top-flight but right now the focus must on ensuring that they get out of the Championship.