Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has made a ruthless call on academy starlet Robbie Gotts, and it's one that may leave fans gutted.

What's the story?

The 21-year-old spent the last season on loan at Lincoln and Salford respectively, and his contract at Elland Road comes to an end next summer.

And now, Football Insider have delivered a major update on the situation, revealing that Gotts is the latest young player who's been told he's free to leave the club after reports suggested that a few players, such as Niall Huggins, were also told the same previously.

It said: "A Leeds source has now told Football Insider that Gotts will become their latest young player to seek pastures news amid an overhaul of their set-up.

"United do not regard the versatile midfielder, who can also play at right-back, as capable of forcing his way into Marcelo Bielsa’s team amid increasingly strong competition. That will be a bitter blow for Gotts, who has been on Leeds’ books since the age of seven."

Leeds fans will be gutted

The 21-year-old appeared to be one of the real bright prospects coming through the clubs academy sides, with Bielsa himself previously raving about the midfielder, saying: "He’s a number eight. A midfielder, not defensive, a number eight. I have never seen a player with such a dynamic. A player with skills."

After a short spell at Lincoln earlier in the campaign, Gotts made the switch to Salford in the January transfer window - a side one division lower than the Imps, but crucially a team where he's getting regular first-team football.

After playing just 370 minutes worth of football for Lincoln in the league, he managed more than triple that amount with Salford in League Two - he's also showed his developing attacking instincts, notching three goals and one assist in his time there.

And it's fair to say he's already made a very good impression with those involved at Salford, with manager Richie Wellens telling The Evening Express: "On the press he is excellent, a typical (Marcelo) Bielsa player. His passing is good, he’s scored two in three for us and could have had more. He is a really good, infectious lad who the group has taken to straight away.

"We are going to improve him for free, that’s why Leeds have loaned him to us. We think he has a real chance to go all the way." With the success he had on loan and the praise he's given him before as well, it's a ruthless call from Bielsa to let him go, especially without really checking him out once more during pre-season to see first-hand the kind of improvements he will no doubt have made in his time away. Given how Leeds fans were so excited and talked up Gotts' potential as a future first-team player at the club following his move to Lincoln, the latest news that the 21-year-old has been told he can leave is sure to have them gutted. Meanwhile, Leeds are closing in on a major agreement...