It has started again. It is the Japanese media's "Real Madrid consolidation rumor." This week's subject was Sporting CP midfielder Morita Hidemasa. But Spain itself is quiet. The mood is one of exaggerated expectations ahead of realistic possibility.
Sports Hochi reported on the 13th that "LaLiga's Real Madrid has placed Japan national team midfielder Morita Hidemasa, who is active at Sporting CP, on its list of potential signings."
The outlet said, "Real, who finished this season without trophies, is likely to appoint José Mourinho as manager ahead of next season," and added, "The inclusion of Morita on the transfer list is likely a direct request from Mourinho, who watched him in the Portuguese stage."
But looking at it coldly, it is unconvincing.
Born in 1995, Morita is a key resource in Japan's midfield. He is a box-to-box type midfielder who is well regarded for his work rate, fundamentals and tactical understanding. After standing out at Kawasaki Frontale, he moved to Portugal's Santa Clara, and later transferred to Sporting, where he consistently played as a regular starter.
With the possibility of parting ways with Sporting increasing after this season, he is being linked with several teams. Local reports also continued that Leeds United and Marseille, among others, have shown interest.
The problem is that the opponent is Real. Real's midfield already features world-class resources such as Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga. Even signings intended simply for rotation are made based strictly on future value and world-class competitiveness.
Sports Hochi emphasized the link with Mourinho. The outlet argued, "Morita has previously attracted interest from Fenerbahçe and Benfica, teams Mourinho once led," and "It is clear that he is a player Mourinho has highly valued for a long time."
But this too is likely an overinterpretation. Interest shown by Fenerbahçe and Benfica is a completely different matter from a Real Madrid signing. Real is a team where only the world's top players compete. Currently, major Spanish local media are virtually not covering reports related to Morita.
In the end, a perspective known as the Japanese media's "big club consolidation frame" has emerged.
There have been similar cases in the past. A representative example is Japanese reports that Takefusa Kubo was mentioned as Liverpool's replacement for Mohamed Salah. At the time, there was little reaction locally, and Kubo ultimately remained at Real Sociedad.
It is well known that Mourinho highly values Asian players. He actively used Son Heung-min during his Tottenham days and showed interest in signing Kim Min-jae. But the story is different at Real. The club needs not simply "good players" but world-class resources who can definitely upgrade the existing squad.
Sports Hochi lastly reported, "Morita's inclusion in Japan's North and Central America World Cup squad to be announced on the 15th is uncertain, but paradoxically he is receiving great attention for the possibility of a move to world-class club Real."
[OSEN]