Noel Whelan has told Football Insider that he believes that Gaetano Berardi could be handed a week to week contract if the season is extended into the summer.
The former Leeds forward thinks that it could be important for the Whites to keep the 31-year-old if the rest of the season has to be finished in the summer.
The EFL is currently suspended because of a viral outbreak, and UEFA just announced that Euro 2020 would be moved to 2021 to allow all of the leagues to have the chance of finishing the season.
Do you agree with what Whelan is suggesting for Berardi?
Yes
No
However, If this were to happen, Berardi could be out of contract – as his current deal is up at the end of June.
Whelan, therefore, thinks that the best thing to do would be to get Berardi to sign a week to week contract.
This would keep him on the same money, and Whelan thinks that would be the most sensible thing for both the player and the club.
Here’s what he had to say:
“What you can do is a week-to-week contract,”
“Staying on the same amount of money and if the season goes on longer than your contract you sign a week-to-week deal. It is as simple as that. That is the most sensible thing for the football club and the player.
“They still get paid rather than leaving the football club. A week by week deal on the same money is not going to break them but it is also fair on the player. It is important to keep a player who has been an integral part of the squad all season.”
What do we think?
Berardi, who is valued at £450k by Transfermarkt, has made 20 appearances for Leeds this season and of those 17 have been in the league.
In these 17 matches, the 31-year-old has been involved in 11 clean sheets and has earned praise from Marcelo Bielsa. (17:20)
If the season is to be continued in the summer, then we think Berardi could be an important player for the Whites.
So, we agree with Whelan that a week to week deal would be the best option.
It will be interesting to see what decision the Whites make on Berardi’s contract.