The Leeds United defender could be set for some action this summer with no takers for a permanent switch thus far.
According to a report from the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen is currently considering whether to use defender Giuseppe Bellusci in the club’s pre-season friendly matches.
The Italian centre-back spent last season on loan at Empoli, but despite suggestions he would complete a permanent move back to his homeland this summer there have been no takers and he has now returned to first-team training with the Whites.
With former loanee Kyle Bartley returning to his parent club and Pontus Jansson given additional time off after his wedding, Leeds are short of options in the heart of their defence and the new manager is said to be considering giving Bellusci a reprieve for the upcoming clashes (the first of which is on Wednesday).
Whether that means he could still play his way back into the first-team fold in time for the new season remains to be seen, but the likelihood is if Leeds have a successful transfer window Bellusci is still likely to be deemed surplus to requirements when the competitive action kicks off next month.
The 27-year-old featured 37 times for Empoli last season. However he was unable to help them avoid relegation.
Had they remained in the top flight, a permanent switch could have been on the cards. Instead Leeds are left with a player they may have to find space for or simply cast him aside until his contract expires in 2018.
With only Jansson and Liam Cooper as Leeds’ other senior centre-backs, Christiansen has to get busy in the transfer market or keeping Bellusci could be a necessity.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
