Leeds may have beaten La Liga giants Real Madrid to the punch when it comes to signing one player, who is apparently set for an Elland Road move.
49ers plan for 26/27 after solid Leeds campaign
Leeds' first season back in the Premier League has been about survival, and they have achieved it.
daniel-farke-leeds-premier-league
Daniel Farke's squad can now look ahead to the summer with the certainty that they will be in the top flight again next year.
That clarity matters, because it is opening doors in the transfer market that would otherwise have stayed shut.
The recruitment department has already been active.
Earlier this week, we reported on Leeds' failed pursuit of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, who turned down what was described as a financially superior offer in favour of joining Atlético Madrid.
Burnley's Zian Flemming has also reportedly been offered to the club by his representatives, with agents making persistent contact as the relegated forward seeks a Premier League move.
Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring their first goal Related
Same agent as Calvert-Lewin: Leeds plot move to sign the Championship's POTY
The Whites are keen on signing an "absolutely sensational" player.
Both stories point to a club that is swinging for meaningful upgrades, not just squad fillers.
Now, the biggest piece of incoming business appears to be falling into place — and in Portugal, it is already being spoken about as though it is finished.
Sporting CP star Hidemasa Morita 'will play for Leeds'
According to Sport Witness, citing Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha, Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita's transfer to Leeds is being presented as a matter of fact.
hidemasa-morita-sporting
In a report focused on Sporting's summer planning, the newspaper simply lists the 31-year-old among expected departures, writing that "Morita is at the end of his contract and will play for Leeds."
No caveats, no mention of negotiations still ongoing, just a straightforward statement of where the player will be next season.
It is a significant shift in tone.
Previous Portuguese reports had described the move as progressing or increasingly likely, with Aston Villa mentioned as potential rivals over the past week.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts
But the latest framing suggests — at least from Sporting's perspective — that the deal is effectively settled.
Leeds have tracked Morita since last summer, with The Mail recently reporting that he's finally ready to commit to the Whites on the condition they avoid relegation, which they now have.
Morita has been one of the more underrated midfielders in Portuguese football over the past four years.
Since joining Sporting from Santa Clara in 2022, he has racked up more than 150 appearances and won two Liga titles.
hidemasa-morita-sporting
This season alone, he has featured 49 times across all competitions, contributing one goal and five assists while also playing a key role in Sporting's run to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they faced Arsenal.
He has over 40 caps for Japan and is expected to be part of their World Cup squad this summer.
What makes the story even more intriguing is a report from Japanese outlet Sports Hochi, cited by The Chosun Daily, claiming that Real Madrid have looked into signing Morita as part of their midfield rebuild — likely due to José Mourinho.
jose-mourinho-benfica
Mourinho, who is widely expected to take over at the Bernabeu this summer, has admired the player for years and reportedly tried to bring him to both Fenerbahçe and Benfica during previous stints.
With Morita available on a free transfer, the financial barrier would be minimal.
Whether Real's interest is genuine or simply reflects Mourinho's personal preference remains unclear, but it adds a layer of prestige to a player who Leeds fans might not yet know much about — and one who, if the Portuguese press are to be believed, will be pulling on a white shirt at Elland Road before long.
lois-openda-rb-leipzig-premier-league Related
He's even better than Openda: Leeds open talks to sign £30m striker
Leeds United could be about to make a move for a big-money star this summer.