Morita set to leave Sporting, next club already lined up | OneFootball

Hidemasa Morita is getting closer to leaving Sporting and his future is likely to be in England. The Japanese midfielder, whose contract with the Lions ends at the end of this season, is not expected to renew and Leeds United is the main candidate for his next move.

The English club's interest is not new. Leeds had been following the Japanese international since the summer of 2025, but at the time withdrew from negotiations due to the €10 million asking price from Sporting and concerns over the player's physical condition, as he was going through a period marked by muscle problems.

The situation has since changed. With his contract nearing its end, Morita could move to the Premier League on a free transfer, which increases the interest from the Elland Road club. Furthermore, the player now shows better physical fitness, a factor that gives greater confidence regarding his use in a demanding league.

The move to England also represents the chance to fulfill a long-standing goal. Since his early years of training in Japan, the midfielder has shown interest in English football, seeing the Premier League as a career objective.

. Although he was not called up to the Japanese national team, Morita remains on Hajime Moriyasu's radar and a possible appearance at the 2026 World Cup could open doors to other interested parties in the international market.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.