Hidemasa Morita ‘to join’ Hull, £34m deal ‘close to being agreed’ for Forest ahead of Leeds opener | OneFootball

Leeds United’s early Premier League opponents are busy, with Hidemasa Morita set for Hull City and Nottingham Forest close to a £34m defensive deal. Fulham have also opened talks for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia.

BBC Radio Humberside reports that Morita is set to join newly promoted Hull on a free after leaving Sporting CP, with a medical said to be done. The 31-year-old midfielder had been linked to Elland Road earlier in the summer.

Those suggestions were dismissed at the time, and even his agent expressed surprise. He is due at Elland Road next season in black and gold.

Fabrizio Romano says Forest are nearing a package worth €40m (£34m) for Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande, with Ibrahima Ba lined up as replacement. If signed in time, the defender could debut against Leeds at the City Ground on Saturday 22 August.

The Athletic reports that Fulham have opened talks with Real Madrid for 22-year-old Garcia, with new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa overseeing the pursuit after working with the forward. Madrid are open to an exit, and while Jose Mourinho admires him, a prominent role is not guaranteed.

Garcia has 13 goals and seven assists in 51 senior games since 2023. Fulham are light up front after Raul Jimenez departed and top-scorer Wilson joined Leeds, while Rodrigo Muniz has recently had injury issues.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk