A report has emerged in the Daily Mirror that claims Leeds are open to keeping Gaetano Berardi.
The 31-year-old defender, who can play at centre-back or right-back, is out of contract next summer, but he is well-liked by Leeds’ hierarchy and also in the dressing room.
So, this may lead to the Swiss receiving a new deal, but the decision will be left down to him.
He may well want to leave to seek more first-team football – considering this season, he has only made four appearances, and in his last one, he was sent-off.
This has now been overturned, and Berardi will probably play a role in Saturday’s game with Birmingham City.
However, in his time with Leeds, Berardi has developed a reputation for picking up stupid red cards.
Last season, he was sent-off in the play-off semi-final against Derby County, and that ultimately cost his team the chance of sealing promotion back to the Premier League.
It is unclear how some Leeds fans will react to this news, but I think it is a strange move.
Marcelo Bielsa clearly doesn’t trust him on the pitch, and he could probably think of about five other players he would prefer to Berardi.
So, why would the Leeds board hand a 31-year-old, rash, defender a new contract?
If Leeds were to get promoted, then having Berardi would be a liability.
Giving him a new contract makes no sense.