Newcastle add Zaidu Sanusi to the list of players they are seeking to sign this summer

ENGLISH Premier league giants Newcastle United have added Super Eagles leftfullback Zaidu Sanusi to the growing list of Nigerian players it is hoping to sign when the summer transfer window opens at the end of the season.

Newcastle became the wealthiest club in the world last year following a £305m acquisition by a Saudi-led consortium. Under the terms of the ambitious acquisition, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took out an 80% stake in the club, with the remainder held by PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.

As part of a mega rebuilding plan, Newcastle are targeting several Nigerian players, with the club intending to make a £45m bid for Ebere Eze and a £20m request for Nantes winger Moses Simon. Now, the club has announced that Porto fullback Sanusi, 24, is also on its radar.

Newcastle are short of talent at left-back, with Matt Target only available until the end of the season, after which he would return to his parent club Aston Villa. Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummet have also struggled this season, and Sanusi could be the ideal player to fill this vacuum.

Sanusi has been outstanding for Porto since he arrived from Santa Clara three years ago, becoming the go-to man at left-back for the Dragons. This season, the 24-year-old has made 13 league appearances for the former Portuguese champions, with a goal to his name.

For now, Sanusi still has three years on his contract, but Newcastle are said to be looking to swoop in for him this summer. Newcastle are currently battling relegation but if the club manages to stay up, the attraction of the Premier League could be the pull they need to attract players like Zaidu.