Lecce, turn left: for now, only Antonino Gallo is there.

LECCE - Among the positions in need of at least one addition to the Lecce squad is that of left-back, for which, at this stage, Liberato Cacace, from Empoli, and Domagoj Bradaric, from Salernitana, are being linked. On June 30, the club on Via Colonel Costadura released Marco Sala, who arrived in January from Como on loan with an option to buy (unexercised) and returned to the Como club. The only player currently in the squad is Antonino Gallo, who, according to statements made at the start of last season, was expected to leave at the end of the season, but could now stay, completing his fifth season with the Giallorossi. If the Palermo native continues his adventure with Lecce, another left-back will be needed. If, however, he were to move elsewhere, two left-backs will need to be signed.

Cacace, a New Zealander who turns 25 on September 27, has been in Italy since the 2022/23 season and spent three seasons with Empoli, where he played 86 times and scored two goals in Serie A, and seven times and scored one goal in the Coppa Italia. In the 2024/25 season, he appeared in 33 of 38 matches, starting 24 times, totaling 2,231 minutes. In addition to scoring two goals, he provided four assists. He's extremely versatile, so much so that Empoli have also used him as a wide midfielder, central defender, and even as an attacking midfielder. In the Coppa Italia, he played six times, totaling 485 minutes, providing one assist. Cremonese, who, like Lecce, need a left-sided winger, are also reportedly interested in Cacace.

Bradaric, who turned 25 on December 10, is a Croatian national and is fresh from the tournament with Hellas Verona, having previously played in two Serie B matches against Salernitana. He made 28 appearances for Verona, with the club having a right to buy a loan deal that was not exercised, including 24 as a starter and four as a substitute, for a total of 1,944 minutes. He also scored one goal. Rumor has it that several clubs, especially Hajduk Split, are interested in him.

Both Cacace and Bradaric's contracts expire on June 30, 2026. Therefore, Empoli and Salernitana will be unable to push their demands too far, lest they lose them on a free transfer in the near future. The New Zealander's value is slightly lower than that of the Croatian. Lecce is keeping an eye on the move, but it's safe to assume that technical director Pantaleo Corvino and sporting director Stefano Trinchera also have other options, cleverly kept under wraps.

As an attacking winger, contacts are continuing with the team of Romanian Valentin Mihaila of Parma, who has expressed his interest in a move to Salento. Lecce would be willing to make a financial sacrifice, as his salary is higher than Roma's standards, but negotiations with the Ducal club, with whom the player is under contract until June 30, 2027, are still underway. It remains to be seen whether Corvino and Trinchera will decide to make the move and try to reach an agreement.

Alex Calatrava, who turns 25 on June 22nd, has also been linked with the same role as Mihaila. He's a Spaniard and currently plays for Castellon, a club with which he has a contract until 2028. He's played 32 matches, 26 of them as a starter, scoring six goals and providing 11 assists in his country's Liga 2. However, the youngster has several suitors, not forgetting that Lecce are looking for a player who already knows the Italian top flight and doesn't need time to adapt.

On the outgoing front, Youssef Maleh is set to find a new home for the third consecutive season. The Italian-Moroccan player is returning from a Serie A campaign with Empoli, where he played in 22 matches, totaling 1,514 minutes, providing one assist. However, he finished the season in early April due to a left medial collateral ligament injury, for which he underwent surgery, performed by Professor Pier Paolo Mariani, at Villa Stuart in Rome.

Now Maleh (who has made 108 appearances in Serie A) is on the road to recovery and the newly promoted Cremonese have focused their interest on him, who would like to make him available to new coach Davide Nicola.