Credit: Sporting Clube de Portugal/Imago

Scott Mason

Sat 21 March 2026 15:40, UK

Leeds United are still interested in Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita, and Ao Tanaka could help move negotiations along.

Morita was among Daniel Farke’s transfer targets for the Whites last summer, but a move never came to fruition.

Instead, the arrivals of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach would reinforce the Peacocks’ midfield, but Morita could now still move to LS11.

With Leeds still in the battle for survival, a lot of their transfer targets will depend on their position in the English football pyramid.

This could put a few of Leeds’ transfer targets on hold, but if they remain as a Premier League club, Morita could move to Yorkshire next season with a helping hand from his fellow countryman Tanaka.

What has been said about Leeds’ interest in Hidemasa Morita?

Morita’s contract at Sporting CP is set to expire at the end of the season, with the midfielder unlikely to sign a new deal.

According to A Bola, Morita’s “childhood dream” has been to play in English football, and Leeds could be the ones to offer him the chance.

The Portuguese news outlet states that “Leeds remain interested in the Japanese player” and that a move to Elland Road is Morita’s “likely destination”.

The 30-year-old has recently hit 150 games played for the Lions, and would provide a set of experienced legs in the midfield

After Leeds looked into signing Morita last summer, Farke will know plenty about the qualities that the Japanese international can offer.

How Ao Tanaka could help Leeds seal move for Morita

Tanaka has fallen down the pecking order at Leeds this season after being such an important cog in the machine that got the Whites promoted.

However, while he may not be influencing things on the pitch at the moment, he could do so by speaking with his Japanese teammate.

Tanaka and Morita have both played with each other at international and club level. The duo were at J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale between 2018 and 2020.

Morita would leave his home nation to move to Portuguese club Santa Clara, while Tanaka remained at Kawasaki Frontale for a further two years.

During their careers, the two midfielders have featured in 62 matches, and they seem to work quite well together. When on the pitch at the same time, they average 2.42 points per game.

With Morita’s contract expiring and him sure to have plenty of options, while Leeds do offer him the chance to achieve his dream, Tanaka could get in the ear of Morita to increase the likelihood of a deal.