Leeds United are looking to sign a new Japan international this summer who has the same agent as Whites star Ao Tanaka.
Tanaka starring in first season at Leeds
Arguably Leeds’ signing of the season alongside right-back Jayden Bogle, Tanaka has impressed after finally moving to Elland Road last summer. The midfielder cost the Whites just under £3m from Fortuna Dusseldorf and has featured heavily in his debut campaign under Daniel Farke.
Tanaka has made 41 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, with one of his highlights being a late goal scored against Championship promotion rivals Sheffield United.
The 26-year-old has come in for plenty of praise during the last 12 months, with BBC fan writer Adonis Storr calling Tanaka ‘one of the best bargains in Leeds history’.
“His introduction against Cardiff City at the end of September was only his third substitute appearances for Leeds, and he had never come on earlier than the 86th minute. Since then, no other footballer in the top four divisions of English football has completed over 1,000 passes and more than 50 tackles. The love from Ao was just as instant.
“In addition to passes and tackles, Tanaka is now adding goals to his performances – something that was missing last season when the Whites scored zero goals from central midfield. The £2.9m for Tanaka is one of the best bargains in Leeds history and shows that there is value available in the market should they look to strengthen in January.”
|
Tanaka’s best Leeds performances |
WhoScored rating |
|---|---|
|
Leeds 2-0 Millwall |
9.12/10 |
|
Leeds 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday |
8.31/10 |
|
Swansea City 3-4 Leeds |
8.11/10 |
|
Sheffield United 1-3 Leeds |
8.07/10 |
|
Hull City 3-3 Leeds |
7.98/10 |
Now, it looks as if Leeds and the 49ers Enterprises are trying to repeat their Tanaka success by signing another Japanese ace.
Leeds plan offer to sign Japan international Hidemasa Morita
According to reports in Portugal, relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds are very interested in signing Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita.
It is claimed that Leeds are readying a concrete offer to sign Morita if they win promotion to the Premier League, with the player himself looking to leave his current employers this summer.
The 29-year-old is out of contract at Sporting CP in 2026, so the Whites could take advantage over the coming months. Valued at a career-high €15m by Transfermarkt, Morita is at the top of his game and can play as a holding or central midfielder. He also shares the same CAA Base agency as Tanaka, potentially making a deal easier to complete.
Related
Sky Sports: Leeds in contact to sign expensive £50k-p/w ace who Farke loves
The boss has called him a “great footballer”.
Morita has also been capped 40 times by Japan and has played in both the Champions League and Europa League with Sporting CP under now Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim, and by the looks of things, a move to Leeds to play alongside Tanaka is one to watch.
