Serie B side SPAL are considering a move to sign Gaetano Berardi after the defender left Leeds United at the end of his contract last month, according to il Resto del Carlino.
The Whites announced that Berardi, along with Barry Douglas, would not be offered new contracts at Elland Road in May. Pablo Hernandez and Ezgjan Alioski have since joined the pair in leaving West Yorkshire, but the Mirror claim the North Macedonian may yet return.
But SPAL are intrigued by the chance to sign Berardi now that the former Switzerland international’s time at Leeds is over. Sporting Director Giorgio Zamuner is assessing a free transfer for the 32-year-old as he strives to find Gli Spallini a new option at right-back.
Lorenzo Dickmann is currently the first-choice at the Stadio Paolo Mazza, but Zamuner hopes to land an alternative. SPAL have just appointed former Leeds assistant coach Pep Clotet as their new manager, and he seemingly feels there’s room for improvement.
And Berardi could be the answer after leaving Leeds. Clotet worked with the defender at Elland Road before taking charge at Oxford United in 2017. During that period, the one-cap enforcer was a fixture of the Whites backline, but his status later regressed through injuries.
Berardi is ready to return to Italy having become a free agent, seven years after his last Serie A spell. The 5 ft 10 full-back left Sampdoria for Leeds in 2014 after two years at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium. He played for Brescia, too, after joining from Lugano Youth in 2004.
SPAL can sign a player Bielsa called ‘complete’ at Leeds with Berardi
Berardi’s Leeds career ended on a damp note after his injuries, but SPAL feel he still has something to offer. As did Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa in May after it was announced that the Swiss would be leaving Elland Road.
Bielsa lavished Berardi with praise as his time at Leeds wound down. Now, SPAL can sign a great player for their squad, should they convince him to join the Italian second-tier.
“He is a player who is a noble competitor,” Bielsa said, via Leeds Live. “He’s a player whose football conditions I value a lot. I think he’s a current player that still has years of football in front of him.
“That’s why I would have also valued had he stayed. For me, he’s a very complete player and he’s a team player. He’s a player that can resolve in every defensive position, which he has done so, and he is very loved by everyone given he gives everything.”
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