With promotion on the horizon for Leeds United as the Easter period arrives, the club’s transfer team are likely to be preparing a list of targets to boost Daniel Farke’s chances of Premier League survival.
Reports this week have said The 49ers want to make six major signings at Leeds United, with a midfielder one of the six positions the club are keen to strengthen. It has been an issue for Leeds during 2024-25.
IIia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu injuries left Leeds down to the bare bones, forcing Farke to enter the free agent market to sign Josuha Guilavogui. He will leave in June, as will on-loan Joe Rothwell as things stand.
Any injury at centre-back has also seen Farke drop Ampadu into defence, leaving Leeds light in midfield. If Leeds are to stand any chance or survival, signing a midfielder is key and Hidemasa Morita is a target.
The huge release clause inserted into Hidemasa Morita’s contract
Sporting Lisbon’s Japan star is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract with the Portuguese side, having penned a four-year deal in the summer of 2022. Morita was bought from Santa Clara for £3.5m.
Ruben Amorim was manager at Sporting when Morita arrived, and the current Manchester United boss inserted a whopping £38.6m release clause into the 29-year-old’s contract following his 2022 arrival.
That was unusually confirmed by Sporting Lisbon on their website following Morita’s arrival three years ago. Given his age, contract and the fee he was signed for, it is unlikely he will cost anything close to that.
Could Hidemasa Morita be a replacement for Ilia Gruev?
Morita is not the only holding midfielder that Leeds are supposedly interested in signing. Indeed, Julian Weigl is a target for Leeds with the club said to have made initial contact over a reunion with boss Farke.
The Whites are clearly after a holding midfielder, so where does that leave Ilia Gruev? A player that is the current holding midfielder for Leeds and only starts if Ampadu is injured or is playing as a centre-back.
Gruev has numerous offers on the table, and reports say he is ready to commit to Leeds – but only if The Whites are promoted. However, the decision to remain at Leeds may be taken out of Gruev’s hands.
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