Leeds United defender Giuseppe Bellusci could find Italian salvation at Serie A club Bologna after his potential permanent move to Empoli collapsed, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The newspaper claims that Empoli are not likely to pursue the centre-back following their relegation to Serie B even though he was a mainstay of the team in the recently completed domestic season.
The Yorkshire Evening Post report that Bellusci had been lined up to convert his season-long loan into a permanent transfer but Empoli’s demotion from the Italian top flight nine days ago has put paid to that possibility.
It is said that Bellusci, 27, could still remain in Serie A, with a transfer to Bologna on the cards.
The club, who finished 15th in the top flight in 2016-17, are interested in signing the combative defender and could be ready to strike a deal with Leeds.
Empoli suffered relegation to Serie B in the recent domestic campaign after finishing in 18th place in the top flight with only 32 points and eight wins from 38 league games.
Bellusci made 33 appearances for for the team in 2016-17 and was a regular member of the starting line-up, 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 made 61 league and cup appearances before former manager Garry Monk offloaded him to last summer.
It now remains to be seen if the Championship giants can strike a deal to permanently offload the Italian defender, who has 12 months left on his current contract at Elland Road.