Giuseppe Bellusci’s proposed deal to join Serie A outfit Empoli from Leeds could be in doubt, according to a reliable journalist.
Bellusci’s agent told TuttoMercatoWeb back in April that a permanent move for the 27-year-old was very much on the cards, after spending the 2016-17 campaign on loan in Italy with Giovanni Martusciello’s side.
However, Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay revealed on his personal Twitter account that Empoli’s relegation from Serie A could put a spanner in the works of a deal for Bellusci.
Bellusci and Empoli relegated from Serie A. Casts some doubt over a permanent move:https://t.co/4JHWZhYtQf
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) May 28, 2017
Empoli suffered relegation to Serie B on Sunday afternoon after Palermo earned a 2-1 victory against Bellusci’s loan side, leaving them in 18th place with only 32 points and eight wins from 38 league games.
The combative defender featured for the entire 90 minutes but was unable to prevent Empoli from suffering their 22nd Serie A loss of the season.
Former Catania defender Bellusci made 33 appearances for Empoli this season and proved to be one of the first names on the team sheet in his loan side’s fight against relegation, only missing matches through suspension after picking up 15 yellow cards.
The four-time Italy Under-21 international moved to Leeds in August 2014, and has made 61 league and cup appearances for the Yorkshire giants before former manager Garry Monk offloaded him to Empoli last summer.
It now remains to be seen if Andrea Radrizzani’s side can strike a deal for the Italian defender, with only 12 months left on his current contract at Elland Road.