Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly identified Sporting Lisbon midfielder Hidemasa Morita as a potential January transfer target.
The West Midlands outfit endured a hectic end to the winter window as they sealed a £27m double deal for Nasser Djiga and Marshall Munetsi.
Recently-appointed head coach Vitor Pereira had been eager to ensure that his squad was boosted by a new central defender and midfielder as Wolves bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
With Mario Lemina expected to join Galatasaray in due course, there is a feeling that Wolves head into the remainder of the campaign in a far more positive position than they were in several weeks ago.
Nevertheless, it has been suggested that a high-profile name had been on their radar before settling on Munetsi.
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Who did Wolves consider?
According to A Bola, club officials gave serious consideration to trying to secure a deal for Morita.
The report suggests that Wolves soon moved onto other targets when it became apparent that they would not succeed with an offer of €10m (£8.32m).
Wolves seemingly had no interest in paying in excess of that figure courtesy of Morita turning 30 years of age in May.
He has been a regular for Sporting during the 2024-25 campaign, making a total of 14 starts and eight substitute outings in Primeira Liga and Champions League matches.
Sporting officials are allegedly keen to secure a contract renewal with Morita at a time when his existing terms run until 2026.
Nevertheless, Wolves may return for Morita during the summer window, providing that they retain their position in the Premier League.
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Worthwhile both on and off the pitch?
With 39 caps having been earned for Japan, it is clear that Morita would bring a certain attraction if he ever moved to the Premier League.
Wolves are known to value the attention from the Asian market that Hwang Hee-chan brings to the club, and Morita may be viewed in a similar light.
From a footballing perspective, Morita could be regarded as an alternative to Joao Gomes or Tommy Doyle if they are sold in the summer, Gomes attracting interest from bigger clubs and Doyle struggling for regular starts.
Darren Plant
