Leeds United expert and respected journalist Phil Hay has revealed that the club are yet to open talks with defender Gaetano Berardi over a new contract, with his current deal at Elland Road set to expire at end of the season.
This revelation prompted quite a reaction from the club's supporters, with some fans calling for the defender's exit on social media.
Berardi is a passionate character and his committed performances on the pitch have seen him become a fans' favourite at Elland Road over the years, although some Leeds supporters have come to see him as a liability because of his disciplinary record.
The likes of Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas and Luke Alying have all been rewarded with new contracts at Leeds in recent weeks, but the fact that the club are yet to open talks with Berardi strongly suggests that his days are numbered at Elland Road.
Here are three reasons why it could be the end of the road for Berardi at Leeds at the end of the season...
He's not good enough for the Premier League
There's no doubt that Berardi gives his all every time he steps onto the pitch at Elland Road, but Leeds are hoping to win promotion to the Premier League this season and it's highly unlikely that he would good enough for the top flight.
Even if they fail to win promotion this season, the club need to keep planning ahead and start getting rid of the players who aren't good enough to make the step up to the next level - Berardi is surely somebody who falls into that category.
He's only getting into the team at the moment due to the injury to Liam Cooper and the fact that the club have not opened talks with him over a new contract suggests that they have their doubts over whether he is good enough for the Premier League.
His lack of discipline
Berardi is a great defender and his committed performances on the pitch have seen him become a fans' favourite at Elland Road, but there have been times where he's lost control and let his temper get the better of him.
Berardi was sent off for the eighth time in his Leeds career against Millwall at the weekend and even though the decision was overturned, there's no doubt that the defender suffers from a lack of discipline.
He's a passionate player, but there are times when he needs to learn to control his aggression - his red card against Derby in the play-offs last season immediately springs to mind - and some Leeds fans have come to see him as a liability.
Leeds have got some talented young defenders coming through
Berardi is a great defender, but at 31, it's fair to say that he's probably past his best and he isn't getting any younger.
Leeds have got some very talented young defenders on their books and Marcelo Bielsa has shown throughout his time at Elland Road that he's prepared to give young players a chance in the first team if they're good enough.
Pascal Struijk is one young centre-back who looks like he could make his breakthrough for the senior side this season, especially if injuries and suspensions continue to play their part.
Then there's Leif Davis, who has already made a handful of appearances for the first team and can also play at centre-back.
It's also more than likely that Leeds will look to strengthen their defensive options in the transfer market at the end of the season too, whether they win promotion or not, and this would surely see Barardi fall even further down the pecking order.
[freshpress-poll ]