Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Wed 6 May 2026 7:10, UK

Leeds United have reportedly effectively already wrapped up the signing of Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita.

The Japan international has been linked with a move to Elland Road for a number of weeks now after starring in the Primeira Liga.

Morita is a versatile central midfielder who is able to play as both a number six and a number eight, with that likely to come in handy for Daniel Farke.

What makes the deal even more appetising for Leeds is that the 30-year-old is set to become a free agent next month.

And ahead of Morita’s deal expiring, a new update has emerged on his likely transfer to Leeds.

Daniel Farke ready to go different route with Hidemasa Morita signing

Morita committed to joining Leeds if Premier League survival was secured. Barring the most dramatic set of final three results, that is in the bag.

As per a new report by A Bola, Morita leaving Sporting in the coming weeks is now considered a “foregone conclusion”.

Morita is said to have already indicated he wants to play this next phase of his career in England, with Leeds his favoured destination.

And the Portuguese outlet also indicates that Farke was personally behind the move for the former Kawasaki Frontale ace.

Farke intends to move away from transition-based football to possession-based, which was his preferred method earlier in his coaching career.

With Morita able to play in a couple of different central midfield roles, that will massively aid Farke when it comes to doing so.

Will Sean Longstaff be odd man out?

Given how well Leeds have performed over a number of months now, it is difficult to pick out too many names that should be moved on.

The brutal reality, though, is that if a handful of new players are to be brought in, then a handful will likely have to make way.

Sean Longstaff has had a rather up-and-down time of things since arriving from Newcastle United last summer, but it may well be he is the man sacrificed to make way for Morita.

Morita will not demand a fee, but rather a squad place. If Longstaff has only started 10 Premier League games this season, that figure will only decrease with more new recruits brought in.

It is the reality of Premier League football, and we can expect to see others head for the exit before 2026-27 begins.