Italian Serie A club Atalanta are reportedly making moves to acquire FC Porto’s Nigerian left-back Zaidu Sanusi this summer, as the Bergamo-based team seeks to bolster its defensive line following a disappointing 2023–24 campaign. Reports from the transfer news outlet Transferfeed indicate that Atalanta has already initiated preliminary discussions with Porto to ascertain the contractual specifics of the 28-year-old defender.

Sanusi, who joined the Portuguese giants from Santa Clara in 2020, finds himself with just one year remaining on his current contract with the newly crowned Primeira Liga champions. This contractual situation positions Porto to potentially demand a transfer fee in the region of €7 million for the experienced full-back—a sum considered relatively modest, reflecting his impending contract expiry. Porto may thus be compelled to cash in this summer to avoid the risk of losing him on a free transfer when his deal concludes in 2025.

The Nigerian international has consistently been a strong performer for the Dragons, earning recognition for his impressive pace, robust defensive work rate, and adaptability to operate effectively as both a traditional left-back and a more advanced wing-back. His versatility and experience, including over 20 caps for the Super Eagles, would be a valuable asset to Atalanta’s defensive schemes, whether in a three-man or four-man setup under manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

Atalanta, meanwhile, has made defensive reinforcements a top priority after concluding the Serie A season significantly below expectations. Gasperini’s squad conceded a notable 48 goals in 38 league matches, marking their highest tally since the 2018–19 season and resulting in their failure to secure European qualification for the upcoming season. The club views Sanusi as a cost-effective, battle-tested option capable of competing with existing left-sided players and providing crucial depth for a potential squad reshuffle, addressing a key area of weakness identified during their underwhelming performance.