Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that hitman Mirco Antenucci will eventually leave the club this summer because if the club had been keen on keeping the player they would have done it by now.
The 31-year-old's contract with the Whites expires this June and Leeds have yet to make him a renewal offer, while owner Massimo Cellino admitted in the winter window that the Italian was keen to leave.
A number of sides from Antenucci's country have shown interest in securing the services of the player, including clubs such as Novara, Ascoli and Foggia.
According to Whelan, the striker seems to be a lost cause as the Peacocks look resigned to letting the player go.
Antenucci, who has been at the club since 2014, has managed a total of 67 appearances for the club so far, scoring a total of 15 goals and Whelan thinks Leeds do not like handing out contracts to players above 30 years old.
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"Mirco Antenucci’s contract has been back in the media this week", Whelan wrote in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
"If the club wanted to keep him, they would have done it by now. It sounds to me as though the player wants to go home or has another option in mind.
"He has been there for a couple of years now. We have seen what he can do.
"It’s up to whether the club feels he is worth another contract at his age. We do know Massimo Cellino does not like to hand out contracts to players when they get to that age."
