Leeds United may be running out of time to land Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old has been on their radar for quite a while, and his contract situation looked like a decent opportunity for the Whites. With his current deal expiring in June, they could approach him over a pre-contract agreement from January.
But that window of opportunity is starting to look a bit smaller each day.
Porto have been working on a renewal for weeks, and the latest developments suggest they’re getting somewhere. Leeds could find themselves watching a potential bargain disappear before they’re even allowed to make their move.
Contract talks moving in Porto’s favour
Portuguese newspaper A Bola reports that negotiations between Porto and Zaidu have made positive progress over the past few days.
The situation is now described as well advanced, with an agreement potentially arriving soon. There are still a few details to sort out, though, so nothing has been signed just yet.
One of those details is the length of the new contract. Porto are discussing an extension of either two or three years. This would take Zaidu’s stay at the club until 2029 or 2030. Given that he turned 29 in June, it’s understandable that both sides want to get that part right.
For Leeds, neither outcome would be welcome. The Yorkshire club have been following the Nigerian since the 2024/25 season. They were linked with another move ahead of January.
His expiring contract was a big part of the attraction, particularly with the possibility of getting him for nothing next summer. However, a renewal would change those calculations completely.
Leeds United may have to act quickly
Porto’s determination to keep Zaidu isn’t just about avoiding a free transfer. He’s become an important part of Francesco Farioli’s plans, making nine starts this season despite missing a significant spell through injury.
The defender also reached 300 senior appearances for club and country in the recent match against Vitória Guimarães, another little milestone in his Porto career.
Farioli has already made his feelings clear about wanting to keep him. The player seems to have his needs in place too. Now the club’s management appear to be making progress towards giving him exactly that.
Fair to recall Leeds have been here before with Sporting’s Hidemasa Morita, only to miss out on the midfielder when Hull City eventually snapped him up.
And with January approaching and Porto moving closer to a deal, the Whites may soon have to decide just how much they want Zaidu. Their chance to pick him up for free could be gone before the transfer window opens.
