Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan has called on the club to move Samuel Saiz on permanently in the summer even if he doesn't join current side Getafe.

The 28-year-old surprisingly joined the La Liga outfit on loan in January, with an option to make the deal a long-term one included.

However, it seems unlikely Getafe will take that up as Saiz has made little impact for his new club and has struggled for minutes recently.

That could open up a return to Elland Road next season but Whelan told Football Insider that Saiz should not come back into the fold.

"I wouldn’t be going back to a player with such a fragile character and temperament. He has chosen to be in Spain and wanted to be back there for family reasons, good luck to him.

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"We are hopefully going into the Premier League next season and we have done it (automatic promotion) without him. I wouldn’t have him at my club. I would have got rid of him after the spitting incident."

As mentioned, Marcelo Bielsa's side have coped well without the Spaniard and boast a three-point lead over Sheffield United with four games to play in the race for automatic promotion.

The Verdict

Whelan clearly has strong feelings on this and you can understand why. Saiz chose to leave at a crucial period for Leeds and it didn't do them any favours.

The manager and team deserve huge credit for how they've dealt with his loss and it shows what a talented group they have.

It would be difficult for Saiz to reintegrate into the squad so it's unlikely to happen, whilst he wanted to leave England as well. Therefore, a move, even if it's not to Getafe, seems inevitable.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.