Al Qadsiah eye move for Zaidu Sanusi — 2 reasons staying at Porto could be the better choice

Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah have explored the possibility of signing Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi from FC Porto this summer, Afrik-Foot reports.

Sanusi’s future has become increasingly uncertain after he entered the final year of his contract with Porto without agreeing to an extension.

The 29-year-old has yet to reach an agreement with the Portuguese champions, with talks over a new deal having stalled and could see him leave the club for free when his current contract expires next summer.

To avoid losing him without receiving a transfer fee, Porto are now actively looking to sell Sanusi. The Portuguese club had previously wanted to keep him as one of their experienced players but could now consider offers that meet their valuation of around €10 million.

Sanusi has been at Porto since 2020 and has enjoyed a successful spell at the club, winning two league titles, two Portuguese Cups, one Portuguese League Cup and three Portuguese Super Cups.

However, his time in Portugal could finally be coming to an end this summer. According to Footy-Africa, Al Qadsiah are the latest club to show interest in the Nigerian left-back as they look to bring him to Saudi Arabia.

While a move to Saudi Arabia could be attractive from a financial point of view, there are still good reasons why staying at Porto could be the better option for Sanusi.

Opportunity to remain relevant with the Super Eagles

Zaidu Sanusi has made 32 appearances for the Super Eagles and has remained a regular part of the national team setup under coach Eric Chelle.

The 29-year-old will also be hoping to play an important role in Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin in September.

Sanusi has faced competition from Bruno Onyemaechi for the left-back position in recent times, and he will be looking to establish himself as a more prominent option during the qualifiers.

Staying at Porto could give him the visibility and level of competition needed to remain in Chelle’s plans. Regular football at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs would also make it easier for the national team coach to continue monitoring his performances.

However, a move to Al Qadsiah could change that situation.

Although playing in Saudi Arabia would not automatically end his Super Eagles career, the lower level of competition compared with European football could make it more difficult for Sanusi to remain a regular choice, especially with competition for places in the national team.

With the 2027 AFCON qualifiers approaching, staying at Porto could therefore give him a better chance of maintaining his place in the squad and adding to his 32 international appearances.

Zaidu Sanusi gets the chance to continue playing at the top level

Another major reason for Sanusi to consider staying at Porto is the opportunity to continue playing at the highest level of European football.

After fully recovering from the ACL injury that disrupted his progress, Sanusi has returned to the first-choice left-back role at Porto and is once again an important part of the team.

Remaining in Portugal would allow him to continue competing at the highest level, including in European competitions, while also giving him the opportunity to challenge for more trophies.

Sanusi has already built an impressive trophy collection during his time at Porto, winning several titles. Staying at the club would give him the opportunity to add to that haul and further strengthen his status at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.

A move to Al Qadsiah, meanwhile, would mean stepping away from European football and facing a different level of competition in the Saudi Pro League.

While the financial benefits of such a move would be more, Sanusi would have to weigh that against the opportunity to continue playing regularly at the top level in Europe.

Ultimately, the decision could depend on whether Al Qadsiah are willing to meet Porto’s valuation of around €10 million. Porto could also be open to reaching a compromise that allows Sanusi to leave this summer rather than risk losing the experienced defender for free when his contract expires next year.