Credit: Sporting Clube de Portugal on YouTube

Aheed Abrar

Mon 30 March 2026 20:40, UK

Leeds United have set their sights on Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita as a target for the upcoming transfer window.

The 30-year-old’s current contract at the Portuguese side expires at the end of the season and he has no intention of renewing it, according to A Bola.

On 30 March, the news outlet reports that the Whites are interested in the 40-cap Japan international who dreams of playing in the Premier League.

Morita’s departure from Estadio Jose Alvalade is certain and he’s on the West Yorkshire outfit’s radar.

Leeds’ transfer strategy under 49ers Enterprises in the summer will surely depend on the Premier League relegation battle, with heavy investment surely needed in case of survival.

What Hidemasa Morita will bring to Leeds United

Morita has mostly played as a box-to-box midfielder since joining Sporting CP from Santa Clara in 2022.

The Japanese ace has been a regular fixture for the Portuguese side, making 23 league appearances this season, 16 of them coming as a starter.

Known for his passing and tackling ability, the midfielder has an 87 per cent passing accuracy in Liga Portugal Betclic, providing two assists and creating one big chance, as per Sofascore.

Morita has averaged 0.3 successful dribbles per game and has lost possession 6.9 times on average in the current campaign.

Defensively, the Sporting CP star has recorded 1.5 tackles, recovered the ball 3.7 times and won 2.9 duels per game.

Daniel Farke may be looking at Elland Road squad reinforcements

Ao Tanaka is attracting interest from Germany and he could potentially be replaced by his compatriot at Leeds.

The former Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder has been a bit-part player for Farke this season and the Whites may need a replacement for him in the squad soon.

With the 27-year-old possibly on his way out, Morita seems like the perfect target for the West Yorkshire outfit to pursue as a free agent.

Fans in LS11 are in for a nerve-wracking period, as the coming months could determine the Peacocks’ summer plans.