Phil Hay has offered a brief update on Gaetano Berardi’s future at Leeds United, detailing how the defender’s future will need addressing as his contract is likely expiring ahead of the season’s conclusion.

Leeds have the bulk of their senior squad tied down to terms beyond the end of the current campaign, but their loan stars including Ben White and Jack Harrison will have to have their current deals at Elland Road extended if the season spills into the summer.

Currently, Berardi is the only senior player without a contract heading into next season, with Hay revealing that Leeds were planning to hold talks with the 31-year-old at the season’s end.

However, in his latest Q&A with The Athletic, Hay has revealed that a solution will have to be worked out soon, with it looking increasingly likely that the 19/20 season will spill into the summer – if completed at all. 

Hay wrote: “The plan with Berardi was to leave discussions about a new deal until the end of the season but he's obviously someone who'll come under considerations when it comes to working out how loanees/free agents might stay with clubs until the season is finished.”

Berardi has made 20 appearances across all competitions this season, serving as Marcelo Bielsa’s alternative to Liam Cooper and Ben White in central defence.

Recently, Angus Kinnear told Sky Sports that Leeds had held positive talks over their loan players extending their stay until the season’s delayed end.

The season is on hold and no resume date has been set; the last ball kicked in the Championship was during the first weekend in March.

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The Verdict

Berardi might not be a natural starter in Bielsa’s squad, but he’s someone who has proved invaluable as a reserve.

If the season can start up again, Leeds need Berardi, as he covers the loss of Cooper, White or Kalvin Phillips (with White moving into the midfield). That is a couple of areas Leeds are short and can’t leave themselves with any obvious holes should things kick off.

Additionally, Kinnear’s comments on the talks so far in terms of loan players indicate they might have already opened discussions with Berardi.

Thoughts? Let us know!

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