Leeds United cemented themselves back in the Premier League last season and Daniel Farke and 49ers Enterprises are determined to make it stick.
The Whites finished 14th in their first season back in the top flight, an impressive return that showed enough resilience to suggest this isn’t simply a passing stay.
A run to the FA Cup semi-finals added some genuine excitement to the campaign, and with survival banked, attention has already turned firmly to strengthening the squad ahead of what Farke will hope is a more comfortable second season.
Leeds star could get ‘dream’ move to Chelsea with Palestra and Lacroix
Xabi Alonso’s side are finally moving in the transfer market.
The recruitment model has been clear since Farke took over in 2023 – Premier League-proven where possible, tactically compatible with Farke’s possession-based system and if they happen to be 6 foot 4 then even better.
Defensive reinforcements remain on the agenda even after locking up skipper Ethan Ampadu to a long-term deal, while goalkeeper uncertainty lingers with Karl Darlow’s situation still being resolved, and a reliable striker capable of double figures is needed to offer support to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Leeds know better than most what happens when a promoted side fails to back their manager properly in the summer – and the 49ers ownership group appear intent on avoiding that mistake.
Leeds ‘front of the queue’ for Nigeria defender
Leeds are in pole position to sign Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi.
The Whites have been linked with the 29 year-old left-back for some time, but his contract situation has forced the Portuguese club into finally cashing in.
Indeed, his contract expires in 2027, and Sport Witness share the latest from Portugal on his future, revealing Porto ‘acknowledge that both Sanusi and Francisco Moura could leave’ and it’s Leeds who are ‘at the head of the Premier League queue’.
Sanusi is a pure specialist left-back who’s been capped 32 times by Nigeria.
The defender played 17 times in Liga Portugal last season and a further eight in the Europa League, scoring once and providing two assists across those competitions.
Why Leeds want Sanusi
Gabriel Gudmundsson had an up and down first season in England after joining from Lille last summer, and Sanusi is expected to take Sam Byram’s position in providing competition for the Swede.
Porto boss Francesco Farioli’s comments earlier this year highlight exactly why the full-back may be being targeted for that role, praising his ability to come in at a high standard after missing several games with injury.
“In reality I think the best proof of the competence we have of the players who are entering the starting eleven has been Zaidu.
“It’s been a long, long time, I think the last game was in Utrecht at the end of October or something like that.
“And today, playing 90 minutes with maximum focus and dedication is something that… we are where we are because of the strength of the squad.”
And that Porto squad was strong enough to beat Jose Mourinho’s undefeated Benfica side to the league title, so Sanusi would bring some winning experience with him to Elland Road.
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Leeds United have set their sights high for the current transfer window.
