Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita, who is 30, is at the end of his contract with Sporting CP and will not renew it. A move to Leeds United appears probable, and playing in English football is his childhood dream. Leeds has been monitoring the midfielder since the 2025 transfer window but did not make an offer last year. At that time, Sporting was seeking approximately €10 million, a fee the English club considered a significant investment for a player with just one year remaining on his contract. Leeds also had concerns about his capacity to play regularly, as Morita had experienced a difficult 2024/25 season due to persistent muscle problems.
The current situation is different because Leeds would not need to pay a transfer fee, and his improved physical condition this season increases the likelihood of his availability. Although he was not selected for Japan's upcoming FIFA break, national team coach Hajime Moriyasu has not excluded his potential participation in the 2026 World Cup, an event that could attract new interest from other clubs. Morita, who joined Sporting in July 2022, has made 22 appearances and provided one assist in the Liga Portugal this season. The midfielder has 40 caps and 6 goals for Japan, and his current market value on Transfermarkt is €9.00m. Ajax and Beşiktaş have also been linked with the player.
