Expected window: January 2027
Zaidu Sanusi to Leeds United
Last update: 5 days ago
Evidence score
Leeds United are pursuing a cut‑price January move for Porto left‑back Zaidu Sanusi, whose listed contract runs to June 2027. Football Insider first reported the interest on 28 Oct, describing a cut‑price deal; two other outlets echoed it that day.
- Independent sources10/40
1 independent source (max 4); 6 other outlets only repeat someone else's reporting
- Source track record13/25
50% estimated accuracy (1 past case, small samples are pulled towards 40%)
- Deal stage0/25
Stage: interest
- How recent10/10
Last update 5 days ago
Score capped at 30: a single source is a lead, not a signal
What we know
Leeds United are pursuing a cut‑price January move for Porto left‑back Zaidu Sanusi, whose listed contract runs to June 2027. Football Insider first reported the interest on 28 Oct, describing a cut‑price deal; two other outlets echoed it that day.
On 29 Oct BBC Sport and A Bola, plus one other outlet, repeated the claim, with A Bola adding that Porto are negotiating a renewal and a January deal would only happen if those talks stall. An earlier Yahoo Sports piece on 22 Oct noted Leeds scouts watched Sanusi against PSV, reviving summer interest after a rejected January bid. A Bola says a January move would only materialise if contract talks stall.
Key findings
- Earliest report on file: 22 Oct 2026, Yahoo Sports, citing A Bola.
- 1 independent source behind it (Football Insider); 6 other outlets only repeat earlier reporting.
- No Tier 1-2 source stands behind it, so the score is capped at 30.
- Deal stage reached by a counted source: interest.
- No second independent source corroborates it.
- Latest evidence: 5 days ago.
Who reported it
| Outlet | Tier | What they said | Track record | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Football Insider 28/10/2026 | Tier 3 · Secondary | Leeds hope to seal a cut-price deal for Zaidu Sanusi in January as his Porto contract expires Stage: interest | 1 case, no percentage yet | Original source |
| BBC Sport 29/10/2026 | Tier 1 · Primary | Leeds United will attempt to sign Porto's Nigerian left-back Zaidu Sanusi in January Stage: interest | 2 cases, no percentage yet | Cites Football Insider |
| A Bola 29/10/2026 | Tier 2 · Established | Leeds United is interested in signing Zaidu Sanusi, either on a free transfer next summer or in January if contract talks stall. Stage: negotiation | No history yet | Cites Football Insider |
| Yahoo Sports 22/10/2026 | Tier 2 · Established | Leeds scouts were present at Porto vs PSV to watch Zaidu Sanusi, reviving summer interest after a rejected January bid Stage: interest | 1 of 3 cases · 33% | Cites A Bola |
| MSN 29/10/2026 | Tier 3 · Secondary | Leeds United are reportedly hoping to sign Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi during the January transfer window Stage: interest | No history yet | Repeats another outlet |
| Sports Mole 28/10/2026 | Tier 3 · Secondary | Leeds are reportedly interested in signing Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi during the January transfer window, aiming for a cut-price deal as his contract expires in 2025. Stage: interest | No history yet | Cites Football Insider |
| Football FanCast 28/10/2026 | Tier 4 · Speculative | Leeds are planning a January move for FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi, hoping for a cut-price deal as his contract expires in summer. Stage: interest | No history yet | Cites Football Insider |
Timeline
- 29 Oct 2026 · BBC SportLeeds United will attempt to sign Porto's Nigerian left-back Zaidu Sanusi in January
Repeats reporting attributed to Football Insider. Stage: interest
- 29 Oct 2026 · MSNLeeds United are reportedly hoping to sign Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi during the January transfer window
Repeats reporting from another outlet. Stage: interest
- 29 Oct 2026 · A BolaLeeds United is interested in signing Zaidu Sanusi, either on a free transfer next summer or in January if contract talks stall.
Repeats reporting attributed to Football Insider. Stage: negotiation
- 28 Oct 2026 · Football FanCastLeeds are planning a January move for FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi, hoping for a cut-price deal as his contract expires in summer.
Repeats reporting attributed to Football Insider. Stage: interest
- 28 Oct 2026 · Football InsiderLeeds hope to seal a cut-price deal for Zaidu Sanusi in January as his Porto contract expires
First-hand report. Stage: interest
- 28 Oct 2026 · Sports MoleLeeds are reportedly interested in signing Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi during the January transfer window, aiming for a cut-price deal as his contract expires in 2025.
Repeats reporting attributed to Football Insider. Stage: interest
- 22 Oct 2026 · Yahoo SportsLeeds scouts were present at Porto vs PSV to watch Zaidu Sanusi, reviving summer interest after a rejected January bid
Repeats reporting attributed to A Bola. Stage: interest
Does Leeds United need him?
Left-Back: the full-backs Leeds United already have, from their squad list, and who they brought in there over the last two seasons. Facts only: we do not judge the need.
Current full-backs (4, 1 with a year or less left)
| Player | Position | Age | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Gudmundsson | Left-Back | 27 | 30 Jun 2029 |
| Jayden Bogle | Right-Back | 26 | 30 Jun 2030 |
| James Justin | Right-Back | 28 | 30 Jun 2029 |
| Melvin Bard | Left-Back | 26 | 30 Jun 2027 |
Recent signings in this position
- Melvin Bard (Left-Back)2026/27 · on loan from OGC Nice (€1.00m fee)
- Isaac Schmidt (Right-Back)· no longer in the squad2026/27 · back from loan at SV Werder Bremen
- Gabriel Gudmundsson (Left-Back)2025/26 · from LOSC Lille · €11.60m
- James Justin (Right-Back)2025/26 · from Leicester City · €9.30m
- Rasmus Nissen Kristensen (Right-Back)· no longer in the squad2025/26 · back from loan at Eintracht Frankfurt
Is it still alive?
- First report
- 22 Oct 2026
- Latest report
- 29 Oct 2026 (4 days ago)
- Transfer window
- January 2027: shuts in 91 days
The window the reports point to. If the move has not happened 10 days after it shuts, the dossier closes as not done.
Contract and fee
- Contract until
- June 2027
- Reported fee
- —
No outlet has quoted a figure for this move yet. We never estimate one.
Under a year left: the selling club risks losing him for free next summer, which usually lowers the price.
Player profile
- Full name
- Zaidu Sanusi
- Age
- 29
- Agent
- Gestifute
Photo: Fédération Guinéenne Football, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; resized and cropped.
Full player profile: contract and career moves →