Credit: Imago/Sporting Clube de Portugal on YouTube

Aheed Abrar

Tue 31 March 2026 17:10, UK

Leeds United want to sign Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita in the upcoming transfer window as a free agent.

The Japan international could potentially fill the void that Ao Tanaka may leave at Elland Road in the summer after falling down the pecking order at the Whites.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the former Fortuna Dusseldorf star look for pastures new after struggling for regular game time under Daniel Farke this season.

Morita has emerged as a target at Elland Road, with the 30-year-old dreaming of playing in the Premier League as his current contract expires at the end of the season.

Tanaka’s sale should be considered by 49ers Enterprises, who will likely profit from it, having signed him for around £3million in the summer of 2024, and the West Yorkshire outfit undoubtedly have a perfect replacement for him in sight.

Hidemasa Morita could be Ao Tanaka upgrade at Leeds United

Morita has been a regular at Sporting CP for several seasons now and has shown his qualities as a midfield enforcer in Portugal.

In the current campaign, the Japanese has made 23 appearances in Liga Portugal Betclic, with an 87 per cent passing accuracy, providing two assists and creating one big chance, as per Sofascore.

Comparing Morita and Tanaka’s defensive numbers in the league this season, there’s only one winner, with the Sporting CP star averaging 1.5 tackles, one clearance and being dribbled past 0.6 times per game.

As for the Leeds midfielder, he has averaged 0.8 tackles, 0.3 clearances and has been dribbled past 0.7 times per game in 21 Premier League matches.

Morita also seems technically better, completing 0.3 dribbles per game with a 47.1 success rate and has won more duels per game than Tanaka this season.

Daniel Farke must ensure one thing for Hidemasa Morita transfer

Morita is apparently desperate to play in the Premier League and if Leeds want to get a deal over the line for him, they must avoid relegation.

The Whites are four points ahead of 18th-place West Ham United and have surely got to be consistent in the final stretch of the campaign.

Farke can’t afford any mistakes at the West Yorkshire outfit, especially against Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur and the Hammers, who they face on the final day of the season.

It will undoubtedly be a nervous climax for fans in LS11 who want to see the Peacocks reestablish themselves in the English top flight.