Leeds United have identified the key areas of Daniel Farke’s starting XI that they want to improve in the transfer market – and one of those is a new central midfielder.
Leeds have a transfer kitty worth £150m, with Paraag Marathe promising to spend every penny without breaking PSR. The Whites are willing to spend £30m on a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and a striker.
The club may also need a left-back, another midfielder for depth, a better version of Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon on a permanent deal from Tottenham – or another winger instead of the Spurs ace.
If Leeds want to bring in a top-quality midfielder but save themselves some cash, then they ought to take action on their initial interest in Sporting Lisbon player Hidemasa Morita – Ao Tanaka’s Japan teammate.
Hidemasa Morita keen to leave Sporting Lisbon after Leeds links
Leeds are interested in signing Morita, with the 30-year-old entering the final year of his contract this month. A holding midfielder, Japan star Morita has spent the last three years with Sporting Lisbon.
Now, Portuguese outlet A Bola deliver the situation regarding Morita. They say Morita is desperate to try something new with the Premier League his preferred destination, but Sporting want to keep him.
That is despite Sporting winning the Portuguese title this season. It is claimed that Sporting have already offered Morita a new contract, which was turned down by the player as he searches for a new project.
Leeds are mentioned in the latest report as the only club with a genuine interest, but are yet to make a bid or open talks. A fee of £6.75m could convince Sporting to part ways, even if they want to keep him.
What Ao Tanaka has said about Japan teammate Morita
Japan currently play with a 3-4-2-1 system. A two-man holding midfield system with wing-backs who are actually wingers, like Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma. Then, two no.10’s behind the striker, like Takefusa Kubo.
Interestingly, Tanaka doesn’t start. He isn’t first choice and while he is loved in Yorkshire, the feeling in Japan is that Tanaka has not done enough to displace starting duo Morita, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo.
Tanaka recently said: “Personally, I have many issues to work on. When I watch players like Morita and [Wataru] Endo, I feel that there is still a lot I need to do and a lot of room to grow. I need to keep trying.”
Morita is a top player, best as a holding midfielder but he has still had a hand in 21 goals in his 116 games. If Leeds need a midfielder with experience right at the top level for the cheap, Morita is the man.
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