Leeds United are planning a January move for an “extremely fast” player, and a cut-price deal could now be on the cards.
Former scout Mick Brown has suggested Daniel Farke is expecting a flurry of signings this winter, despite Leeds making a solid start to the Premier League season.
“Farke made it clear during the summer what he expects from the board in the transfer market,” Brown said. “He wants to be backed by signing players in key positions, and that’s going to be no different going into the January window, because he is not happy with his current options.
After being embroiled in a relegation battle for large parts of the previous campaign, the Whites have kicked on, and they are currently sitting in seventh place, although a run of four games without a win in the Premier League may be mildly concerning.
A solid backline has been the key to Farke’s side’s success, as they have the second-best defensive record in the Premier League, behind only the reigning champions.
|
Ranking |
Best Premier League defences |
Goals conceded |
|
1. |
Arsenal |
5 |
|
2. |
Leeds |
6 |
|
3. |
Brighton |
7 |
|
4. |
Liverpool |
8 |
|
4. |
Hull |
8 |
However, despite looking strong at the back during the early stages of the campaign, the 49ers are looking to bring in another defender during the next transfer window.
Leeds eyeing January move for Zaidu Sanusi
According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds are now planning a January move for FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi, and they are hoping a cut-price deal will be possible, given that his current contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
Sanusi’s future at Porto is in major doubt, and given that he will be able to leave on a free transfer in the summer, the Portuguese giants may be tempted to cash-in this winter, with a ‘straightforward deal’ now believed to be possible.
The 32-cap Nigeria international’s main position is left-back, an area in which Farke is already well-stocked, given that the German has Gabriel Gudmundsson and summer signing Melvin Bard at his disposal.
That said, should the 29-year-old join Leeds, he would arrive at Elland Road with a great deal of top-level experience, having made 29 appearances in the Champions League, while he has also won eight trophies with FC Porto and performed well in Liga Portugal this season.
Former FC Porto manager Sergio Conceicao has praised the full-back too, saying: “Zaidu a spoiled brat? Honestly, I don’t think so. He’s proven otherwise. The proof of my insistence is that he’s still at FC Porto today and is useful to FC Porto.
“Physically, he’s above average, extremely fast. He runs down the left flank incredibly well.”
Sanusi has averaged 5.5 recoveries per 90 in the Liga Portugal this season, the second-highest number in the Porto squad, and given his aforementioned ability to bomb down the left flank, he could make a real difference for the Whites at both ends of the pitch.
