Noel Whelan believes that a lack of assurances over playing time is the reason Ezgjan Alioski is yet to sign a new deal with Leeds United.
The 29-year-old has been offered fresh terms with the Whites in order to extend his four year stay with the club but is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.
Alioski’s contract at Elland Road expired on July 1 and Leeds are yet to confirm whether the North Macedonian international will be remaining in West Yorkshire.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are in the market for a new left back ahead of the new season and look set to make Barcelona’s Junior Firpo their second signing of the summer after Jack Harrison's deal was confirmed yesterday.
Alioski featured in all but two of Leeds’ 38 Premier League games last term but with the impending arrival of Firpo in his position, playing time may be at a premium.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed that given the stage he is at in his career, Alioski may be thinking that he should look elsewhere.
He said: “I think the club have done all they can. A player, when he gets to a certain age, wants to squeeze every bit of juice out of his career.
“You want to end it playing. He’s been a great squad player, he’s been a great servant, he really has. A fantastic friend to all the players there but I think sometimes you’ve got to think about yourself.
“It is a great club, a fantastic club. It is a great time to be at the club.
“But I think when you look back, do you want to be a squad player at 30, 31-years-of-age? You want to get a three-year contract, now they might only be offering two.
“Then you’re looking at your longevity, your payments and what you can squeeze out financially. It might be a better move for Alioski to look somewhere else.
“At the same time, we’re still looking at other places as well for a natural left-sided wing-back.”
