Journalist says Leeds have made decision on future of popular club figure

Defender Gaetano Berardi is likely to sign a new contract with Leeds United, The Athletic’s Phil Hay has claimed.

Berardi last deal with the club expired at the end of last season following the Championship title win, and having suffered an ACL injury in the penultimate game of the season at Derby back in July to put him out of action for up to nine months, it had seemed as though the centre back’s future at Elland Road was far from certain.

However, it now looks as though the Swiss international is not done with Leeds just yet, judging by Hay’s latest comments.

Responding to a question from a fan on Twitter enquiring as to whether Berardi will be signing a new contract with Leeds, Hay simply said: “It should happen that, yes.”

Since joining Leeds from Sampdoria back in the summer of 2014, Berardi has gone on to make 155 appearances in all competitions for the Whites, scoring two goals in that time.

Having established himself as firm fans favourite during his six-year spell at Elland Road so far, it is unlikely there will be too many of a Leeds persuasion who will be disappointed by the prospect of the Berardi extending his time at the club.

Indeed, with Leeds somewhat lacking in depth at centre back at the minute, retaining the 32-year-old could certainly be a useful move for Marcelo Bielsa and co. to make.

However, with Berardi still seemingly some way from being available for feature, it will be interesting to see if they do still move for another central defender this summer, to add cover for Liam Cooper and Robin Koch, and some competition for Berardi if and when he returns.