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Leeds United have confirmed that Gaetano Berardi and Pablo Hernandez will both depart Elland Road at the end of the season.

Fans’ favourite Hernandez joined Leeds on loan in 2016 before making the move permanent. He amassed more than 150 appearances for the club and was contracted until 2022. However, his chances have been at a premium under Marcelo Bielsa this season and the 36-year-old will be looking for a new club this summer.

Berardi is Leeds’ longest-serving player having originally arrived from Sampdoria in 2014. He too though has seen his chances limited after rupturing his ACL last July.

He has made a recovery this season and made his Premier League debut against Southampton in May – his only appearance of the season.

The 32-year-old Swiss defender has made over 150 appearances for the club, but his contract is up next month.

A lengthy, impassioned statement read: “Both players have had a huge impact at Elland Road and will go down in history, for being part of the group which got Leeds United back to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.

The club cannot put into words the gratitude and thanks we share for both players.

Their loyalty, dedication and enthusiasm both on and off the pitch is unquestionable, they are model professionals and extremely popular in the dressing room.”

Meanwhile, Tyler Roberts has been told he can take his career on to the next level by quitting Leeds this summer and linking up with Steve Bruce at Newcastle.

The Wales international has endured a stop-start spell since signing for Leeds from West Brom back in January 2018. This season, however, he has fared slightly better and, having waited for his chance, has muscled his way into Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Indeed, Roberts has made 14 starts for Leeds in the Premier League, adding 12 more off the bench.

That is comfortably his best season yet for the Yorkshire side. And, after several near misses, the forward struck his first goal in the Premier League during Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Southampton.

However, the 13-cap Wales forward’s future remains in some doubt. Roberts’ contract at Elland Road expires in summer 2022 and Leeds are keen to tie him to an extension.

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Roberts urged to move on

But, according to reports earlier this week, Roberts has turned down the offer to leave his future up for debate.

Roberts was linked with an exit ahead of the January window, before Marcelo Bielsa opted to keep him. That decision looked vindicated as the player forced his way into Bielsa’s plans.

But it’s now emerged that he’s a target for Newcastle this summer. It’s suggested Steve Bruce is a huge admirer of Roberts and is willing to fork out £10m for his services.

And according to Paddy Kenny, a move to St James’ Park would help Roberts take his game to another level.

“If he wants to play every week, sometimes you’ve got to move on and try your luck somewhere else,” Kenny told Football Insider.

“If that’s the case and Newcastle are interested, he should go there and get more first-team football. It can only be a good move for him.

“I think Brucey would bring the best out of him if he’s still there next season, maybe in a way the manager hasn’t been able to at Leeds.

READ MORE: Bielsa warned off making bad mistake, as Leeds told big triple transfer priority

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