Leeds are now in a good position to sign Hidemasa Morita who was wanted by Wolves last year
Leeds United are now close to signing the title-winning midfielder who was on Wolves' radar last year, according to a new report.
Leeds face Brentford in a crucial battle against relegation
Daniel Farke will be the focus of attention as Leeds prepare to host Brentford at Elland Road tonight, in one of the most important home games of their season.
The Whites are sitting in 15th place in the Premier League, with just three points from eight players, and they have not won in five league games.
They have not scored in three.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a penalty at Selhurst Park last weekend and Leeds need 10 men to hold Crystal Palace to a point.
Gabriel Gudmundsson is now suspended after collecting a second yellow, reducing Farke's options further.
Brentford are the formidable visitors, sitting seventh and heading into European football, with Igor Thiago on 19 Premier League goals and one to become only the third player in club history to score 20 in a single top-flight campaign.
The Bees have also won five of their last seven away games. This will not be easy.
Leeds and West Ham have identified the rising Argentine star as a “key” signing amid a £69 million bid
He can leave his club for a cheaper fee than previously suggested.
But Noah Okafor is expected to return to the team after a five-game absence through injury, and Leeds' dead-ball threat – they have created more goals from set-pieces than any other team in the division – could be decisive.
Win tonight and the breathing room starts to feel real. Losing and the last part of the season becomes a real fear.
While that battle continues on the pitch, Farke and his recruitment team are already planning what's next – and Portuguese newspaper A Bola have pointed the finger firmly at Elland Road when it comes to the future of one of Sporting CP's most experienced midfielders.
Leeds are in a position to sign Hidemasa Morita from Sporting CP
Hidemasa Morita, who turns 31 in May, will leave Sporting as a free agent this summer after opting not to sign a contract.
The Japanese international joined the Lisbon club from Santa Clara in 2022 and has gone on to make 153 appearances for them, with 10 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.
He is a well behaved and hard working midfielder who has been in Sporting's engine room for three years.
Leeds were linked with a move last summer but fell short on the price, with Sporting wanting around £9 million.
Now, with Morita's contract expiring, they can get him for free.
Bola describes Leeds as his likely destination this summer – and it's not hard to see why the pieces fit together so well.
His English agent, CAA Base, represents Ao Tanaka, who is already at Leeds and has settled in well under Farke. Those existing relationships can be very slippery.
Morita has been open about his desire to play in England, which makes the move feel right for both parties.
Wolves have also been mulling a move in the past, but given their inevitable relegation from the Championship, Leeds are keen to get the Japanese international, who won four league titles in Portugal, back home.
In free agent terms, the only danger is competition.
If other clubs take notice – and with the World Cup looming, Morita is determined to stay in top-flight football – Leeds could yet find themselves in the running.
For now, A Bola says the destination has already been booked.
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