Ampadu: Leeds propose 2028 deal as Morita talks advance
ampadu sits at the center of Leeds United’s latest move, with the club holding advanced discussions through intermediaries over Hidemasa Morita in recent weeks. Leeds have also proposed a contract through 2028 with the option of an additional year.
Leeds and Morita
Morita is approaching the end of his Sporting CP contract and is expected to use his free-agent status this summer. Leeds denied the links, but the talks moved far enough to put the 30-year-old firmly on their list as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of next season.
That offer gives Leeds a longer runway than a short-term gamble. A deal to 2028, plus an additional year, would let the club spread the value of a free transfer across several seasons if Morita chooses the Premier League route he is said to be considering.
Morita’s Sporting record
Morita arrived at Sporting from Santa Clara in 2022 and has made more than 160 appearances across all competitions. He helped the Lisbon club win successive Primeira Liga titles in 2024 and 2025, and he also has 40 caps for Japan.
Those numbers explain why Leeds are not alone. Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion have monitored him closely, FC Porto have expressed interest, and clubs in France, Germany and Italy have made enquiries. The market around a free agent with that profile is wider than a single Premier League chase.
Premier League competition
Morita is intrigued by the prospect of bringing his game to the Premier League this summer, and that gives Leeds a clear target rather than a speculative link. The club’s offer is the specific piece on the table: a contract through 2028, plus an additional year, aimed at persuading a midfielder with title-winning experience to choose Elland Road over a crowded field.
For Leeds, the immediate consequence is simple. The pursuit is active, the competition is broad, and the terms already known show how seriously they are treating a move that could add an experienced international midfielder without a transfer fee.
