Ao Tanaka has struggled for game time this season
Leeds United remain four points clear of the relegation zone as they continue their fight to secure Premier League survival this season.
Staying up is far from certain, but the club have already started planning ahead for the summer, identifying key areas they want to strengthen.
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If they do retain their top-flight status, Leeds are expected to look at reinforcements in goal, target an upgrade on Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack, and add depth in midfield, with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney among the players on their radar.
Leeds also want to add more experience to their squad, and Ao Tanaka could prove vital in the club’s pursuit of his Japanese teammate Hidemasa Morita in the summer.
Hidemasa Morita will move on a free transfer
The Japanese midfielder is set to leave Sporting Lisbon at the end of the season when his contract with the club is scheduled to expire.
There is no sign of him signing a new deal, and he is expected to fetch serious interest in the summer because of his free agent status.
Leeds were linked with an interest in signing the midfielder last summer as well. However, they were not ready to meet Sporting Lisbon’s £9m asking price.
According to A Bola, Leeds are again interested in Morita and are keen to snap him up on a free transfer in the upcoming transfer window.
He will turn 31 in May, but his age is not a problem for Leeds as he will be a free agent and will be available for an affordable wage.
Hidemasa Morita – Sporting CP 2025/26 Season Stats
Overall performance breakdown of Hidemasa Morita for Sporting CP across all competitions
Statistic Value
Games 38
Assists 3
Minutes Played 1,974
Leeds are seen as the likely destination for Morita as his agents already have an established relationship with the club, and Ao Tanaka is also their client.
The Leeds midfielder is also likely to play a vital role in convincing his teammate to move to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.
Morita has also made it clear he wants to play in England, which makes the move seem like a natural fit for both sides.
His arrival could hasten Tanaka’s exit
Tanaka made his first Premier League appearance in a 22-minute cameo against Brentford on Saturday for the first time since the end of January.
He spent seven consecutive league matches as an unused substitute on the bench as his stock fell within Daniel Farke’s squad this season.
The Japanese midfielder has not started a league game since the end of December, and has fallen behind other midfielders in the pecking order.
Morita’s potential arrival will further push him towards the exit door, with several clubs already interested in signing him in the summer.
Tanaka may play a big role in helping Leeds land his Japan teammate, but it could also push him out of Elland Road in the next transfer window.