Leeds United have been under tremendous pressure to perform in the next season after their dismal performances in the latter stages of the last season, which saw them finishing just points away from the coveted sixth position to guarantee them a place in the Championship playoffs for the last term. They also saw their coach Garry Monk exiting as an aftermath of the disappointment from the unexpected result.
However, Leeds are looking to make amends for their lost chances and make a strong start to the next season under their new coach and ex-Spain international Thomas Christiansen who is looking to build a new-look side, offloading a number of players who have been termed surplus for the team in the next season.
One such player is the Italian centre-back Giuseppe Bellusci, who has been far from his prime in the last few seasons and has neither been well taken by the team management nor the fans. The Leeds United team management have been looking to offload the player in the next season and had even left the player on an extended holiday after his loan term at Italian club Empoli came to an end after the last season, so that he can find a club for himself in the Serie A to make a move away from Elland Road.
The player had been deemed surplus to requirements under the former coach Garry Monk, and was in talks with the Italian club Empoli for a permanent deal in the summer, but it all went haywire as the latter got relegated from the Serie A, making the situation difficult for both Bellusci and Leeds United.
A potential offer also came in from Bologna, but no further advancement was made as the club already invested in two centre backs in the form of Sebastian De Maio and Giancarlo Gonzalez. Fellow Serie A ckub Cagliari and newly promoted club Benovento might also look to bring in the player for the next season, but are in contention to table a bid as of yet.
Presently, the player is back at Leeds’ training facility at Thorpe Arch and has been training with the team before they leave on their pre-season friendlies in the next week. The Elland Road club were hoping that they will see the back of the defender within this time, but are now in contention whether to keep him with the team or not for the pre-season friendly tour to Austria due to the lack of defenders in the team.
