Newcastle step up summer transfer plans as ‘spy’ watches Porto amid links to £17m ace
Striker Wood joins Newcastle
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Newcastle sent a spy to watch Porto’s Europa League clash with Lazio on Thursday night amid reports the Magpies are interested in signing left-back Zaidu Sanusi. The northeast side were taken over by a mega-rich Saudi-led consortium in the autumn and have already been bolstered by the addition of five players since then.
Newcastle began the season under experienced Premier League manager Steve Bruce.
But the former Manchester United centre-back failed to win a single game and was given his marching orders following the buyout.
The Magpies were marooned to the bottom of the Premier League table for much of the season but shelled out big money during the January transfer window to improve their team in a bid to avoid the drop.
And the new faces appear to have made an instant impact at St James’ Park, with Newcastle winning their last three Premier League encounters.
One player who Howe was unable to get his hands on last month, however, was Sanusi, who is reportedly valued at £17million by his club.
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The 24-year-old joined Porto from fellow Primeira Liga team Santa Clara in 2020 and has gone on to make 64 appearances for his current club.
He has cemented his place as Porto’s first-choice left-back and played the full 90 minutes as his side hosted Lazio in the first leg of their Europa League preliminary knockout round tie.
And, according to Portuguese publication A Bola, Newcastle officials were present to keep tabs on the action.
Porto came from behind to win the encounter 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Toni Martinez, who struck either side of the interval.
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Sanusi was a regular in the Champions League before Christmas and started both group games against Liverpool.
But the Portuguese outfit only won one of their matches and dropped into Europe’s second-tier competition.
Sanusi’s former team-mate Luis Diaz has already quit Porto to move to the Premier League after signing for Liverpool last month.
And the defender could soon follow suit by heading to England as well.
Last month, Howe managed to persuade Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Dan Burn and Matt Targett to move to St James’ Park.
And the Toon manager admits he is now under pressure to get results.
“I’m under no illusions as the manager of this huge club that I’m always going to be in the firing line,” Howe said earlier this month.
“The pressure is there whether you spend money in the transfer market or if you haven’t. I have no problem with that. I fully understand it.
“I’ve made decisions that I think benefit the club and the team. I hope that shows on the pitch.”
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