Daniel Ayala's time at Middlesbrough appears to be coming to an end.
Out of contract at the Riverside Stadium at the end of the season, the centre-back is believed to have rejected a short-term contract on Teeside in order to complete the campaign.
Ayala's original deal is set to expire at the end of this month and Boro had hoped he would extend his stay so that he could take part in their remaining games.
The Championship side have two fixtures before his deal officially expires, but it has been reported that the 29-year-old will not take part in either of them.
Ayala, who has been linked with a summer move to Leeds United, is not the only player in the Championship to refuse a short-term deal as Lyle Taylor at Charlton Athletic has also done likewise with a big-money move believed to be on the cards this summer.
Given the reports of Ayala's decision not to complete the season at Boro, his wife, Hannah, took to her Instagram acocunt on Monday evening and posted a cryptic message alongside a report from the Daily Mail about the player.
"Don't believe what you read, the truth will come out soon," she wrote alongside the report.
Defence is one area Marcelo Bielsa needs to strengthen ahead of Leeds' potential return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence and a move for Ayala would make sense.
With the Spaniard having played in the top flight previously, the fact he will be available on a free transfer is ideal given clubs are set to have limited funds this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ayala isn't the only defender to have been linked with a move to West Yorkshire as Tottenham defender Juan Foyth has also been mentioned regarding a season-long loan switch for next campaign.
Initially joining Boro on loan from Norwich City in 2014, Ayala has made a total of 193 appearances for Jonathan Woodgate's side.
However, he has yet to play for the club since New Year's Day due to an ankle injury, although he did return to training recently.
