Leeds United target Hidemasa Morita
Credit: Sporting Clube de Portugal on YouTube
Aheed Abrar
Mon 30 March 2026 20:40, UK
Leeds United have set their sights on Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita as a target for the upcoming transfer window.
The 30-year-old’s current contract at the Portuguese side expires at the end of the season and he has no intention of renewing it, according to A Bola.
On 30 March, the news outlet reports that the Whites are interested in the 40-cap Japan international who dreams of playing in the Premier League.
Morita’s departure from Estadio Jose Alvalade is certain and he’s on the West Yorkshire outfit’s radar.
Leeds’ transfer strategy under 49ers Enterprises in the summer will surely depend on the Premier League relegation battle, with heavy investment surely needed in case of survival.
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What Hidemasa Morita will bring to Leeds United
Morita has mostly played as a box-to-box midfielder since joining Sporting CP from Santa Clara in 2022.
The Japanese ace has been a regular fixture for the Portuguese side, making 23 league appearances this season, 16 of them coming as a starter.
Statistics Hidemasa Morita
Appearances 23
Minutes per game 56
Assists 2
Passing accuracy 32 (87%)
Interceptions per game 0.6
Clearances per game 1
Ground duels won per game 2.1 (47%)
Fouls per game 1.2
Morita’s league record this season
Known for his passing and tackling ability, the midfielder has an 87 per cent passing accuracy in Liga Portugal Betclic, providing two assists and creating one big chance, as per Sofascore.
Morita has averaged 0.3 successful dribbles per game and has lost possession 6.9 times on average in the current campaign.
Defensively, the Sporting CP star has recorded 1.5 tackles, recovered the ball 3.7 times and won 2.9 duels per game.
Daniel Farke may be looking at Elland Road squad reinforcements
Ao Tanaka is attracting interest from Germany and he could potentially be replaced by his compatriot at Leeds.
Ao Tanaka in the Premier League for Leeds United this season
Credit: Imago
The former Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder has been a bit-part player for Farke this season and the Whites may need a replacement for him in the squad soon.
With the 27-year-old possibly on his way out, Morita seems like the perfect target for the West Yorkshire outfit to pursue as a free agent.
Fans in LS11 are in for a nerve-wracking period, as the coming months could determine the Peacocks’ summer plans.