NafisaLeeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka rounded off the season in strong fashion, finishing on a real high despite increased competition following a busy summer of arrivals that initially threatened his place in the side.
After an outstanding Championship campaign, many had already labelled him as ‘untouchable’ heading into the step up to the Premier League, with expectations that he would remain a key figure in Daniel Farke’s plans.
However, reality looked very different in the early stages of the season, as his starting spot was taken by Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach, forcing Tanaka to spend extended spells on the bench while Farke stuck with his preferred structure.
Longstaff later picked up an injury, allowing Ilia Gruev to step in and take his opportunity, with the Bulgarian midfielder impressing during that spell and further complicating selection decisions.
It was only after Gruev himself suffered a setback that Tanaka was reintroduced into the starting XI — and in the final months of the campaign, he produced a run of performances that reminded everyone of his quality and importance to the squad.
Leeds United put deal for midfielder on hold:
Ao Tanaka could potentially be joined at Elland Road next season by Japanese international teammate Hidemasa Morita, who was previously linked with a switch to West Yorkshire but never completed the move.
The experienced midfielder is now approaching the end of his contract with Sporting CP, with his deal in Portugal set to expire this summer, making him available on a free transfer.
Leeds have been repeatedly mentioned as a preferred destination for the player, with Portuguese outlets consistently linking him with a move to Elland Road.
However, a new development has now emerged that has slightly slowed progress. A Bola report that discussions between both parties have been progressing at a very slow pace, with no ‘decisive’ breakthrough reached at this stage.
Morita is currently on holiday as he evaluates his future options, although Leeds still remain a serious consideration in his thinking.
Club sources stance of possible transfer:
When early speculation first surfaced earlier in the season, Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that club sources were not aware of any active negotiations.
The same update also suggested that Leeds United were not actively targeting players of Morita’s profile in terms of either age or tactical fit, raising eyebrows at the time given strong reports emerging from Portugal.
From within Elland Road, the stance has remained that recruitment planning is still ongoing, with the club expected to finalise key targets later in the window rather than rushing early deals.
As a result, there appears to be conflicting signals coming from different directions, but what remains certain is that Hidemasa Morita will become a free agent after his departure from Sporting CP this summer.
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